The current members of the Commission are:
KAREN FRYAR
Karen Fryar was appointed as President of the Commission on 28 January 2020. From 1989 to 1993, Ms Fryar was the Assistant Executive Officer of the Legal Aid Commission (ACT). In 1993, Ms Fryar became the first woman appointed as a magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court.
Between 2000 and 2010, Ms Fryar presided over the dedicated Family Violence list and also supervised the ACT’s Family Violence Intervention Program.
On 1 March 2010, Ms Fryar became the ACT Children’s Court Magistrate, where she pursued a variety of initiatives such as the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court to assist young offenders experiencing substance abuse problems. During this period, Ms Fryar was a member of the South Pacific Council of Youth and Children’s Courts.
She received the Order of Australia in 2010 for her service to the community as a magistrate and for contributing to the prevention of family violence.
BRIAN THOMAS
Brian Thomas was appointed as the Commissioner for financial management on 9 August 2022.
Mr Thomas had an extensive career in the public service, working across the Snowy Mountains Authority, Attorney-General’s Department, Defence, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Aboriginal Affairs, Health, Education, Employment and Industrial Relations. In 1995, he became the Chief Financial Officer of the College of Law Australia and went on to work as a private financial consultant from 2002 to 2022.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the Australian National University, as well as a Diploma in Accountancy from the Department of Technical Education NSW.
Jennifer McNeil
Jennifer McNeil was appointed as Commissioner on 30 July 2023. Ms McNeil is the Deputy Director General of the Justice branch within the Justice and Community Safety Directorate. In that role, her responsibilities include legal policy and programs, legal assistance services, human rights and the territory’s courts.
Prior to joining the ACT, Ms McNeil worked in national regulatory roles: first as a Commissioner of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and later as a Member and General Manager at the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Before that she was a litigation partner at a leading Australian law firm.
Jennifer has degrees in Arts and Laws from the University of NSW. She was a long time NSW law Society Accredited Specialist in Commercial litigation and a LEADR Accredited Mediator. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
KYM DUGGAN
Kym Duggan was appointed as the Commissioner with special expertise on 20 May 2016. Mr Duggan currently works as a justice sector consultant to Commonwealth and State Governments.
He has previously served as the First Assistant Secretary at the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department and in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
He has worked in national security law, social security law, indigenous justice and native title.
He holds an LLB from The University of Adelaide and has been admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor since 1978.
PURE BINDON
Prue Bindon was appointed as a Commissioner on 9 August 2022. Ms Bindon is a Barrister at the Key Chambers. She has a diverse practice, including administrative law, commercial law, constitutional law, employment, industrial and WHS law, discrimination law and coronials and inquiries.
Before joining the Bar, Ms Bindon worked for Linklaters and King & Wood Mallesons in Australia and Hong Kong. She served as President of the Women’s Lawyers Association and is an Associate Lecturer at the Australian National University law school.
She holds a LLB (Hon) from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford.
LISA GOONERATNE
Lisa Gooneratne was appointed as a Commissioner on 21 March 2019. Ms Gooneratne is a Special Counsel at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, where she specialises in the law of public liability, workers compensation, motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, and coronial inquests.
Ms Gooneratne has previously worked as a lawyer at Sparke Helmore and was also the chair of the ACT Law Society Young Lawyers Committee.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English Literature and a LLB from the Australian National University, and a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney.
CATHI MOORE
Cathi Moore was appointed as a Commissioner on 19 August 2020. Ms Moore has contributed to leadership positions in key community service organisations and government boards for over 30 years.
Ms Moore began her career at the ACT Council of Social Service and the Young Women’s Christian Association, later going on to become president of the YWCA ACT division. She has also served as a Board Member and Treasurer of YWCA Australia, where she successfully campaigned for the introduction of the 30% quota for young women under 30 in governance positions in the YWCA both nationally and locally.
She has also worked with Marymead, ACT Council of Social Service, Community Housing Canberra, Parentline ACT, and is a founding member of My Coaching My Future, which provides free coaching for women who have moved on from violent relationships.
JOHN BOERSIG
Dr John Boersig was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Commission on 1 December 2013 and holds a position as a Commissioner on the Board.
He brings to the Commission extensive experience in legal aid, legal education, and public administration. He commenced in legal aid practice in 1983, initially with the Aboriginal Legal Service and later as a senior lecturer and director of the University of Newcastle Legal Centre where he ran the clinical and professional program for the Faculty of Law. He was a presiding member of the Guardianship Tribunal of New South Wales for many years.
In 2004, Dr Boersig joined the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department as Assistant Secretary of the Indigenous Law & Justice Branch, and later as Assistant Secretary of the Human Rights Branch, the Ministerial & Cabinet Unit and then the Security Coordination Branch immediately prior to joining the Commission.
He has a PhD from the University of Sydney and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2008.