23/2/04
Respected District Court Judge Hal Jackson has been appointed the new leader of an influential child protection committee providing expert advice to the Gallop Government.
In announcing his appointment as the new chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection (MACCP), Community Development Minister Sheila McHale praised Judge Jackson's commitment to protecting children.
"Judge Jackson brings with him a wealth of understanding and years of experience in a range of matters affecting children and young people, including child protection, crime research and drug rehabilitation," Ms McHale said.
"He was the inaugural president of the Children's Court of Western Australia, past president and council member of the Law Society of Western Australia and member of the WA Law Reform Commission."
Judge Jackson has been, and continues to be, involved with numerous committees, including:
- patron of Wanslea Family Services;
- chairperson of Youth Legal Service;
- chair of the Child Witness Service Reference Group; and
- the Education and Training Committee of the Advisory and Co-ordinating Committee on Child Abuse.
"His continued support, dedication and experience make him the ideal new leader of our Government's advisory council," Ms McHale said.
The Minister said a major piece of work being undertaken by the advisory council this year was research into the strongest and best model for a child protection system.
The advisory council provides a range of advice to Government about the protection of children and young people and has recently:
- implemented an across Government and non-government agency community education campaign on shaken baby syndrome; and
- commissioned a research report on mandatory reporting on child abuse and arranged a series of discussion workshops for informed debate.
"I am confident that Judge Jackson will build upon the successes and achievements during 2003 of Ms Raelene Walter, the advisory council's outgoing chairperson," Ms McHale said.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
