Michael Lavarch
Encyclopedia
Michael Hugh Lavarch is an Australian lawyer, educator and former politician. He was the Attorney-General of Australia
between 1993 and 1996, and since 2004 has been Dean and Professor of Law at Queensland University of Technology
(QUT), his alma mater.
Lavarch commenced his legal career in Brisbane as a solicitor. He gained Australian Labor Party
endorsement for the Queensland
electorate of Fisher
, and was elected to the Federal Parliament
at the 1987 election.
By the 1993 election, boundary changes had made Fisher less winnable, so he contested the neighbouring seat of Dickson
. One of the candidates died very shortly before the election, making it necessary to hold a unique 'special election' on 17 April (the rest of the country had already voted on 13 March). Following the return of the Labor Party to government, the Prime Minister Paul Keating
announced the makeup of the Second Keating Ministry
to be sworn in on 24 March, but kept the portfolio of Attorney-General open for Michael Lavarch subject to him winning Dickson on 17 April. He won the seat, and was appointed to the ministry on 27 April.
During his political career he was particularly interested in human rights and native title issues. He was responsible for instigating the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families in 1995, culminating in the publication of the Bringing Them Home
Report. He was defeated at the 1996 election and returned to the law.
In 1998 Lavarch was elected as a Queensland delegate to the 4th Constitutional Convention
in 1998.
He was Secretary-General of the Law Council of Australia
from 2001 to 2004. In 2004 he was appointed Dean and Professor of Law at Queensland University of Technology
, of which he is also a graduate.
Lavarch has written numerous book chapters and articles about Australia's legal and political systems, including being editor of "Beyond the Adversarial System". He hosts a radio program podcast on 2SER called "Maintain the Rage" that discusses politics, political history and the way the media covers them.
Lavarch lives between Brisbane and Sydney with his wife, Indigenous academic, lawyer and writer, Larissa Behrendt
.
Michael Lavarch was formerly married to Linda Lavarch. Like her former husband, Linda Lavarach had served as an Attorney General but on the Queensland state level from 2005 to 2009.
Attorney-General of Australia
The Attorney-General of Australia is the first law officer of the Crown, chief law officer of the Commonwealth of Australia and a minister of the Crown. The Attorney-General is usually a member of the Federal Cabinet, but there is no constitutional requirement that this be the case since the...
between 1993 and 1996, and since 2004 has been Dean and Professor of Law at Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
(QUT), his alma mater.
Lavarch commenced his legal career in Brisbane as a solicitor. He gained Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
endorsement for the Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
electorate of Fisher
Division of Fisher
The Division of Fisher is anAustralian Electoral Division in Queensland. The division was created in 1949 and is named for Andrew Fisher, three times Prime Minister of Australia. It is located in the Sunshine Coast area north of Brisbane and includes the towns of Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Beerwah,...
, and was elected to the Federal Parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
at the 1987 election.
By the 1993 election, boundary changes had made Fisher less winnable, so he contested the neighbouring seat of Dickson
Division of Dickson
The Division of Dickson is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland, Australia. The division was formed in 1992 and is named after Sir James Dickson, a leading advocate in Australian Federation, Queensland Premier and Minister for Defence in first Australian Ministry. It is located in the...
. One of the candidates died very shortly before the election, making it necessary to hold a unique 'special election' on 17 April (the rest of the country had already voted on 13 March). Following the return of the Labor Party to government, the Prime Minister Paul Keating
Paul Keating
Paul John Keating was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, serving from 1991 to 1996. Keating was elected as the federal Labor member for Blaxland in 1969 and came to prominence as the reformist treasurer of the Hawke Labor government, which came to power at the 1983 election...
announced the makeup of the Second Keating Ministry
Second Keating Ministry
The Second Keating Ministry was the sixtieth Australian Commonwealth ministry. It was led by Paul Keating of the Australian Labor Party, and held office from 24 March 1993 to 11 March 1996...
to be sworn in on 24 March, but kept the portfolio of Attorney-General open for Michael Lavarch subject to him winning Dickson on 17 April. He won the seat, and was appointed to the ministry on 27 April.
During his political career he was particularly interested in human rights and native title issues. He was responsible for instigating the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families in 1995, culminating in the publication of the Bringing Them Home
Bringing Them Home
Bringing Them Home is the title of the Australian "Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families"...
Report. He was defeated at the 1996 election and returned to the law.
In 1998 Lavarch was elected as a Queensland delegate to the 4th Constitutional Convention
Constitutional Convention (Australia)
In Australian history, the term Constitutional Convention refers to four distinct gatherings.-1891 convention:The 1891 Constitutional Convention was held in Sydney in March 1891 to consider a draft Constitution for the proposed federation of the British colonies in Australia and New Zealand. There...
in 1998.
He was Secretary-General of the Law Council of Australia
Law Council of Australia
The Law Council of Australia is an association of law societies and bar associations from the States and territories of Australia, and the peak body representing the legal profession in Australia. The Council was formed in 1933 to unite the various state legal associations, in order to represent...
from 2001 to 2004. In 2004 he was appointed Dean and Professor of Law at Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
, of which he is also a graduate.
Lavarch has written numerous book chapters and articles about Australia's legal and political systems, including being editor of "Beyond the Adversarial System". He hosts a radio program podcast on 2SER called "Maintain the Rage" that discusses politics, political history and the way the media covers them.
Lavarch lives between Brisbane and Sydney with his wife, Indigenous academic, lawyer and writer, Larissa Behrendt
Larissa Behrendt
Larissa Behrendt is an Australian academic and writer of Aboriginal and European descent. She is currently a Professor of Law and Indigenous Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney....
.
Michael Lavarch was formerly married to Linda Lavarch. Like her former husband, Linda Lavarach had served as an Attorney General but on the Queensland state level from 2005 to 2009.