Former Fair Work Commissioner joins Ashurst as consultant

Former Fair Work Commissioner, Barbara Deegan, has joined Ashurst's top-ranked Australian Employment practice as a consultant. 

 According to Ashurst's Head of Employment, Stephen Woodbury, having Barbara join as a consultant is an enormous coup for the firm.

"Barbara brings her extensive experience and insights into the management of public sector employment issues. Her impressive background, both in the government sector and industrial relations generally, will be of enormous benefit to our clients," Stephen said.

"While supporting the continued development of Ashurst's public sector employment practice at both a Commonwealth and State level, Barbara will also contribute to client development and expertise initiatives.

"Barbara's extensive knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the lawyers in our Employment practice."

Barbara served as a Commissioner of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Fair Work Australia and the Fair Work Commission from 1996 (and as a Commissioner of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission from 2010) to 2014.  Prior to her appointment as a Commissioner, she held the positions of Assistant Secretary of Legal Services Group of the Commonwealth Department of Industrial Relations; Principal Registrar of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission; and the Australian Government's representative at the International Labour Organisation in Geneva.

She was also the author of a highly-regarded independent integrity review of the 457 Visa Program.  The review was commissioned by the Minister for Immigration and was accepted by all sides of politics as a comprehensive analysis of the issue.

Barbara will be based in Ashurst's Canberra office, and will work closely with partners Paul Vane-Tempest and Jon Lovell.

Barbara said she was "delighted to join Ashurst and help contribute to its already very strong Employment practice".

"I also look forward to once again working alongside my colleague at Fair Work Australia, its former President Geoff Giudice, who has been consulting to Ashurst for some time."