The Attorney-General, Rob Hulls has appointed Colleen Pearce as Victoria’s first ever female Public Advocate.
Mr Hulls said the new Public Advocate had almost 30 years experience in the community and health sectors, making her an ideal candidate for this independent statutory position.
“The Public Advocate supports the rights of people with disabilities and protects them from exploitation and abuse,” Mr Hulls said.
“This role requires an astute and compassionate individual who well understands the experiences of people with disabilities,” Mr Hulls said.
“Ms Pearce has devoted her working life to helping society’s most disadvantaged people, and advocating for a better deal on their behalf.”
Most recently Ms Pearce was the Director of the Victims Support Agency and Diversity Issues Unit within the Department of Justice overseeing the Victim’s Helpline, Child Witness Service and the Working with Children Check Unit.
From 1999-2004, Ms Pearce was the Director, UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania, an organisation providing services to more than 350,000 disadvantaged people.
Before then, she was Executive Director at Moreland Hall, a drug and alcohol treatment service providing counselling, withdrawal, prison and court services and state-wide drug education.
Ms Pearce has also been a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Redevelopment of Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services; Nursing Home Regulation; and Multicultural Health.
She is on the Frontier Services Board of Governance and previously a member of the Northern Health Board, Corrections Health Board and the National Aged Care Advisory Committee, UnitingCare.
Ms Pearce was also previously a Manager for the North Richmond Community Health Centre, a support worker for Women’s Refuge Referral Service and a community education worker at Women’s Council on Homelessness and Addiction.
Ms Pearce, who will commence the new role on 8 September 2007, replaces Julian Gardner who was the Public Advocate from 2 February 2000 to 30 April 2007.
Mr Hulls also thanked Barbara Carter for her professionalism and sensitivity as acting Public Advocate since May.