Presenters

Catharine Thorpe, Barrister, List G Barristers
Catharine Thorpe is a barrister at the Victorian Bar, practising in public and commercial law with particular expertise in constitutional law, administrative law, statutory interpretation, human rights, and privacy and information sharing. Prior to joining the Bar, Catharine was the Managing Principal Solicitor in the Constitution and Advice team at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office and practised in public and commercial law at Maddocks. She was also Associate to the Honourable Justice Stephen McLeish at the Victorian Court of Appeal. Catharine developed and co-authored the Charter of Human Rights Bench Book for the Judicial College of Victoria and chaired the inaugural editorial committee.


Georgina Rhodes, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers
Georgina practices predominantly in public and administrative law, regulatory and criminal matters, but accepts briefs in a range of other matters including general commercial, civil and common law. She has a broad practice with experience in commissions and inquiries, coronial inquests, compulsory examinations for investigative bodies, regulatory and general crime, disciplinary matters, and merits and judicial review. She has a particular interest in matters where commercial and common law intersect with criminal law and public law. Georgina has particular expertise in government regulation. She has undertaken a wide variety of advice work (both led and unled) for private and government clients in respect of administrative decision making, statutory interpretation and complex public law litigation. Georgina has a background in matters relating to children and vulnerable people, including; youth justice, crimes mental impairment, guardianship, NDIS, reportable conduct scheme, Working with Children Clearances and a Public Inquiry into institutional abuse. As such Georgina welcomes briefs relating to vulnerable clients, including common law institutional abuse claims. Georgina appears (both led and unled) in various State and Commonwealth Tribunals and Courts. She has practiced in Victoria and Tasmania and accepts briefs from all jurisdictions.