A history of advocacy

Freedom of information

Called for freedom of information access to workers’ compensation and the other statutory bodies that decide injury compensation.

APLA in Queensland

Founded the Queensland branch of the Australian Plaintiff Lawyers Association (APLA), now the Australian Lawyers Alliance. Elected its foundation Queensland president and a foundation national councillor.

Motor accident claims

Campaigned against the CTP changes in the Motor Accident Insurance Act.

Queensland Workers’ Rights Coalition

Co-founded the Coalition with Bob Carnegie, Rob Davis, Gary Hammond, Ian Brown and Judy Teitzel.

Injury thresholds

Campaigned against the proposed injury thresholds for workers’ compensation, and wrote the campaign leaflet and submissions.

Medicare and compensation

Campaigned on how Medicare benefits are recovered from injury compensation.

The 10% system was adopted.

“Under the Axe”

Led the APLA and Coalition campaign to keep common law damages for workplace injuries.

Queensland’s “money or the box” choice came out of that debate.

The Kennedy Commission

Co-wrote APLA’s submission with Rob Davis and appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into workers’ compensation, then wrote the Coalition’s critique of its recommendations.

APLA’s first national conference

Chaired APLA’s inaugural national annual conference.

The WorkCover Queensland Bill

Campaigned against the Bill’s injury thresholds for common law claims and its changes to journey claims, and lobbied the cross-bench.

A code of conduct

Wrote APLA’s code of conduct for its members, and co-chaired its second annual conference.

Civil Justice Foundation

Co-founded the Foundation.

National President of APLA

Led APLA nationally as its National President.

Tort Reform Institute

Co-founded the Institute.

Insurance Reform Campaign

Founded the campaign during the national insurance crisis.

New limits on injury claims

Campaigned against the limits in the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act and the Civil Liability Acts, and against the Ipp Review’s recommendations.

The “Jack Cade” laws

Campaigned against the “Jack Cade” laws restricting the legal profession.

The Montréal Convention

Campaigned for Australia to adopt the Convention for international air travel.

The public’s right to know

Campaigned against restrictions on information about personal injury compensation in Queensland.

Insurance industry review

Called for a commission of review into Australia’s insurance industry.

Ratify the Montréal Convention

Called for Australia to ratify the Convention without delay.

It came into force for Australia on 24 January 2009.

Insurer profits

Called for an inquiry into the insurance industry’s profits, and against limits on public access to injury compensation information in Queensland.

Property agents and motor dealers

Campaigned for reform of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act (PAMDA).

Civil liability reform

Campaigned for reform of Queensland’s civil liability laws, and observed the Coalition’s campaign on WorkCover amendments.

Injured overseas

Campaigned for Australians injured overseas to be able to sue under Australian law, in an Australian court.

Wrongful death damages

Campaigned for reform of the law on non-pecuniary damages in wrongful death cases.

Costs for injured people

Called for reform so wrongdoers pay the legal costs of the people they injure.

Recreational flying

Campaigned to remove the “dangerous recreational activity” exemption from liability for light aircraft and helicopter flights.

People on the ground

Campaigned for compulsory aircraft accident insurance to cover good Samaritans on the ground.

Cyclist protection

Called for stronger laws to protect cyclists on Queensland roads.