Civil Liberties Australia Board Members
PRESIDENT: Dr Kristine Klugman
Dr Klugman's PhD in Politics at ANU analysed the two-way communication flow between MPs and electors. Earlier degrees were in Community Studies, and History. She has been President of CLA since 2003.
Kris previously served on the NSW Legal Aid Commission, was a foundation member of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, and a researcher with the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, helping to establish the Criminal Justice tertiary course for police and prison officers in NSW.
Her OAM was for 'services to education and the community'. She was the first-ever female President of the board of Australia's oldest museum, The Australian Museum. She was also the first female board member and full-time Deputy President in the 100-year history of the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW, running the NSW Fire Brigades, and a member of state bushfire and rescue governing councils.
SECRETARY: William Rowlings
Bill has a background in both journalism and public relations, and is co-author of a tertiary PR textbook. As a journalist, he worked on Fleet Street in London, as editor of the Papua New Guinea daily newspaper, and on The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and the Sun-Herald, as well as editing business and sporting magazines.
In PR, since the early 90s Bill worked as media adviser at the highest level of politics, helped a large federal department with Olympics stakeholder management, worked with HIC/Medicare on communications and IT strategic planning, and with Defence on publishing. He edits CLA's newsletter.
DIRECTOR: Jessica Mohr
Jessica is a lawyer in the Australian Treasury's Market Integrity Unit, advising Ministers and helping to develop policy on market-related issues. She graduated with a B. Law (Hons) and a B. Commerce in Law, Politics and Public Policy from Griffith University. Queensland. Her Honours thesis examined the relationship between law, ethics, science and politics in regulating stem cell research, particularly in relation to the role of the NHMRC Licensing Committee.
While at uni, Jessica undertook work experience tenures with both the Queensland Government and Legal Aid Queensland.
TREASURER: Kevin Popple
Kevin's qualifications include B Ec, B Sc and B Ed. Originally a maths and science teacher, with the Commonwealth Treasury he rose to senior executive roles working on projects such as the development of the financial framework for the then newly-self-governing Northern Territory. Moving to the Victorian Public Service, he headed a Treasury Division and was involved in major Loan Council and Premiers' Conference issues. He was a member of the Capital Works Authority and the Board of Management of the Transport Accident Commission, Chairman of the State Employees Retirement Benefits Board and Chairman of the Victorian Grants Commission.
DIRECTOR: James Staples
Jim is a former industrial relations and arbitration judge and, before that, a leading barrister at the NSW and Federal bars. He was originally a Communist, and was the first person in Australia to publish Kruschev's famous 1956 speech, denouncing Stalin.
Jim was very active in the 1960s and 70s as a pro bono advocate, on behalf of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSW CCL), representing defendants before there was any general or indigenous legal aid system. With others in the NSW CCL (for example, Michael Kirby, Neville Wran, John Dowd), he was responsible for helping to break the unhealthy nexus between police, politicians, criminals and corruption which tainted NSW for decades. He now counsels law students, analyses and writes on constitutional issues, and continues to monitor the governance of police-legal-political links. He works to extend the education and understanding of civil liberties in the ACT and throughout Australia.
DIRECTOR: Tim Vines
Originally from the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Tim studied from 2004 for an Arts/Law degree at the ANU in Canberra, where he now works in a government department. At uni, he was elected President of Bruce Hall Residents' Association and to the board of the ANU Students' Association. He edited Cross Sections, Bruce Hall’s academic journal, and helped the Tenancy Union strengthen the accommodation rights of on-campus students. Tim graduated in 2008 with Honours, after contributing several papers on health law reform in Australia.
Tim is CLA’s main media spokesperson.
DIRECTOR: Anthony Williamson
Anthony is a barrister and solicitor of the ACT Supreme Court. He gained his degree in Arts/Law from the Australian National University. During his studies, he worked part-time for the ACT Department of Education and Training helping children with behavioural problems. He is a volunteer in the Rivers Brigade of the ACT Rural Fire Service, and a qualified RAFT (remote area firefighting team) member.
In 2004-5, he was employed as an adviser to an ACT Member of the Legislative Assembly. In that role, and through authoring submissions for CLA, he has been able to change significant sections of ACT legislation for the better. He is a legal officer with the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety.
DIRECTOR: Lance Williamson
Lance was a long standing member of Defence's Senior Executive Service where he held a number of positions involving the development, implementation and maintenance of strategic business, financial and project management frameworks for the betterment of Defence capabilities. He is a graduate of the Joint Services Staff College and also was a member of the Army Reserve for some years and saw service in Vietnam.
He also designed and created the CLA website and is the webmaster.
Last updated 30 Dec 09
