Appointments to the Human Rights Review Tribunal

Associate Justice Minister Margaret Wilson today announced the appointment of nine new members to the Human Rights Review Tribunal panel. Panel members may be appointed to hear cases brought to tribunal. The Tribunal comprises a Chairperson and a panel of up to 20 persons, two of whom are appointed for each hearing.

The new panel members are:

Jennifer Binns, Hamilton. Ms Binns has been a barrister sole since 1991, specialising in family law, in particular as Counsel for Children. She also acts as mediator or arbitrator in civil or family disputes and is a youth advocate. She has previously held appointments as a Tenancy Tribunal Adjudicator and as a Disputes Tribunal Referee.

Jacquie Grant, MNZM, Hokitika. Ms Grant is presently CEO of Eco World, an extension of Te Moana Kotuku Wildlife and Bird Trust Inc. She is a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, awarded in 1998 in recognition of her service to the community, in particular with disadvantaged youth (as a foster parent and in other roles), and the establishment of the Moana Kiwi House and Zoological Gardens. She served on the Grey District Council from 1997 - 2001.

Alistaire Hall, Auckland. Mr Hall and has been in private practice as a barrister and solicitor since 1969. He is a founder member of the Mangere CAB and was an organiser/member of its Legal Practitioners Panel for 28 years. He is also a member of the Mangere Budgeting Services Trust and the Family Law Section of the NZ Law Society.

Sue Ineson QSM, Wellington. Ms Ineson is Chief Executive Officer at the Medical Council of New Zealand. Other roles she has held include Executive Director New Zealand Family Planning Association, and Director of Barnardos New Zealand. She has had considerable not-for-profit sector experience in the areas of health, social welfare, education, professional regulation, human rights, international aid and development. Her voluntary experience includes serving as chairperson and treasurer of Amnesty International NZ section, for which she was awarded the Queen Service Medal.

Dr Winston McKean, Akaroa. Dr McKean is a medical doctor with further qualifications in public health medicine. He has had a range of appointments in health administration, including as acting CEO of the Southern Regional Health Authority. He is extensively involved in community affairs as a consultant in public health medicine, chair of the Rural Canterbury Primary Health Organisation and chair of the national task force on the Primary Care Strategy..

Trudie McNaughton, QSM, Auckland. Ms McNaughton is currently a Board member of Career Services, a member of the Government Work Life Balance Steering Group, the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women and the Future of Work Advisory Group. She is also a self employed consultant in strategic employment, work/life and diversity issues. She was previously the Executive Director of the EEO Trust, a member of the Ministerial Advisory Groups on Immigration and EEO, and an invited member of the Australian Diversity Think Tank and the international work/ life think tank Xchange. She has received a QSM for her work in Neighbourhood Support Groups and a Suffrage medal for services to women.

Shane Solomon, Raglan. Mr Solomon has been a lecturer at the Waikato School of Law and held positions with the Department of Corrections, the Department of Trade and Industry in London and as a solicitor with the Companies Office. Mr Solomon has also held a variety of Directorships. He is currently associated with Habitat for Humanity and on the University of Waikato Council.

Dr Andrew Trlin, Kapiti Coast. Dr Trlin is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work at Massey University. He had been Associate Professor in the School for 12 years and on the academic staff of the University since 1967. He has also been a Visiting Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and twice at the Australian National University. His teaching interests cover Policy, Programme and Service Evaluation, Social Science Research Methods, Social Demography and Social Policy and Social Change in New Zealand. His research interests and activities include Immigration Policy, Immigrant Settlement and Assimilation, International Migration Trends and Patterns, Race and Ethnic Relations, Social Dimensions of Health and Disease and Social Policy, Programme and Service Evaluation. He is presently Programme Leader of the New Settlers Programme supported by the Foundation for Research Science and Technology.

Ivanica Vodanovich, Auckland. Dr Vodanovich is a consultant sociologist. Previously she was a senior lecturer and an Honorary Research Fellow at Auckland University's Department of Sociology. She has sat on the management committee of the Centre for Peace Studies at the university and has been actively involved in its human rights work. She has been involved in development projects, social impact studies and social research in developing countries including Pakistan, Yugoslavia, Niger, Tunisia and Kiribati. She has also worked with several United Nations and inter-governmental agencies including FAO, OECD and UNESCO. In 2003 Dr Vodanovich was a recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Development Studies.

Background

The Human Right Review Tribunal (the Tribunal) was established under the Human Rights Act 1993 (the Act) and comprises a Chairperson and a panel of up to 20 persons, two of whom are appointed for each hearing.

Formerly named the Complaints Review Tribunal, the Tribunal hears and determines proceedings lodged pursuant to the Human Rights Act, the Privacy Act 1993 and the Health and Disability Code 1996 after complaints have first been made to the Human Rights Commission (in respect of matters under the Human Rights Act), or investigated by the Privacy Commissioner or the Health and Disability Commissioner. The principal matters considered by the Tribunal concern privacy, sexual harassment, race relations and issues about discrimination in the provision of goods and services, advertising, housing and accommodation. The Tribunal also has jurisdiction to deal with cases in which it is alleged that legislation is or may be contrary to the Bill of Rights Act.

Members are appointed to the panel by the Minister of Justice for a period of 5 years and may be reappointed.

In considering the suitability of people for inclusion on the Panel the legislation requires the Minister to have regard to the need for the Panel to comprise members who between them have knowledge of, or experience in:

·Different aspects of matters likely to come before the Tribunal;
·New Zealand law, or the law of another country, or international law, on human rights;
·Public administration, or the law relating to public administration;
·Current economic, employment, or social issues; and
·Cultural issues and the needs and aspirations (including life experiences) of different communities of interest and population groups in New Zealand society.

Members

The other persons on the panel of members are:

Royden Hindle (Chairperson), Auckland
Deborah Clapshaw, Auckland
Eamon Daly, Christchurch
Patsi Davies, Hamilton
Simative Perese, Auckland
Jonathan Elworthy, Christchurch
Gavin Kerr, Blenheim