John Hatzistergos

John Hatzistergos AM (born 20 August 1960) is a judge of the District Court of New South Wales. He is a former Australian politician who was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council representing the Labor Party between 1999 and 2011, and a minister in various Labor Governments.

The Honourable John Hatzistergos AM
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
In office 27 March 1999 – 19 May 2011
Preceded by	Jim Kaldis
Succeeded by	Adam Searle
Minister for Justice
In office 2 April 2003 – 10 August 2005
Preceded by	Bob Debus as Minister for Corrective Services
Succeeded by	Tony Kelly
In office 2 April 2007 – 4 December 2009
Preceded by	Tony Kelly
Succeeded by	Phil Costa as Minister for Corrective Services Graham West as Minister for Juvenile Justice
Minister for Fair Trading
In office 1 February 2005 – 10 August 2005
Preceded by	Reba Meagher
Succeeded by	Diane Beamer
Minister for Health
In office 10 August 2005 – 2 April 2007
Preceded by	Morris Iemma
Succeeded by	Reba Meagher
Attorney General
In office 2 April 2007 – 28 March 2011
Preceded by	Bob Debus
Succeeded by	Greg Smith
Minister for Industrial Relations
In office 11 September 2008 – 4 December 2009
Preceded by	John Della Bosca
Succeeded by	John Robertson
Minister for Regulatory Reform
In office 8 December 2009 – 28 March 2011
Preceded by	Joe Tripodi
Succeeded by	Greg Pearce
Minister for Citizenship
In office 8 December 2009 – 28 March 2011
Preceded by	Virginia Judge
Succeeded by	Victor Dominello as Minister for Citizenship and Communities
Vice President of the Executive Council
In office 1 September 2009 – 28 March 2011
Preceded by	Tony Kelly
Succeeded by	Michael Gallacher
Personal details
Born	20 August 1960 Redfern, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor Party
Spouse(s)	Maria
Children	3
Occupation	Judge

Early life and education

Born in Redfern, Sydney, the son of two Greek immigrants, Hatzistergos was educated at Bourke Street Primary School in Surry Hills and Cleveland Street Boys' High School.[1]

Hatzistergos studied economics and law at the University of Sydney, where he was later appointed to the Senate of the University.[1]

Career

Legal career

Hatzistergos was a solicitor in private practice between 1983 and 1987. He spent the next two years as a Senior Legal Officer with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and a barrister in private practice since 1989.[2]

Political career

Hatzistergos joined the East Redfern branch of the ALP in 1976, was secretary of the Campsie branch from 1983 to 1990 and later the Belmore branch from 1993 to 2000. First elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1999 while was serving as Deputy Mayor of Canterbury City Council.[2][3] Hatzistergos served as the NSW Minister for Health, between 2005–2007 and again briefly for 14 days in 2009,[2] Minister for Fair Trading (2005) and Minister for Justice, between 2003–2005 and again between 2007–2009. Hatzistergos served as Attorney General[4] from 2007 until 2011, and Minister for Industrial Relations between 2008 and 2009. He was Minister for Citizenship, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Vice President of the Executive Council and Government Leader in the Legislative Council.[2]

He implemented major reforms to freedom of information and privacy through new legislation and the establishment of the Information and Privacy Commission. Other achievements include the establishment of the Australian International Disputes Centre in Sydney and Uniform Domestic Arbitration Laws, Intensive Correction Orders and Forum Sentencing. He also implemented major reforms to the NSW Children's Court following the Wood Special Commission of Inquiry.[5]

During his tenure, Hatzistergos was a nationally recognised opponent of a Bill of Rights.[6] In late 2010 it was reported that he was being considered a possible candidate for appointment to the Supreme Court of New South Wales,[7] and a potential successor to Chief Justice Reg Blanch of the District Court of New South Wales.[8]

On 31 March 2011, Hatzistergos announced that he intended to retire from the Legislative Council despite having four years of his term to run.[9] His announcement followed that of Eddie Obeid with Walt Secord and Adam Searle nominated by Labor to fill the casual vacancies.[10][11]

Post-political career

In late 2011 Hatzistergos became an adjunct professor at the University of Technology Sydney, teaching constitutional law.[12] In July 2014 Hatzistergos was asked by the NSW Government to assist in the review the NSW Bail laws in response to controversy over a number of decisions made by magistrates. Hatzistergos recommended a number of changes to recalibrate the manner in which NSW courts would assess the risk posed by people charged with serious offenses. His recommendations were accepted by the NSW Government.[13] On 10 October 2014 NSW Attorney General Brad Hazzard announced Hatzistergos's appointment as a judge of the District Court of New South Wales.[5]

References

1. "Maiden Speech – The Hon. John Hatzistergos MLC" (pdf). Walsh Bay Development (Special Provisions) Bill – Hansard Extract. Legislative Council of New South Wales. 26 May 1999. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
2. "The Hon. John Hatzistergos (1960- )". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
3. "On the Couch - John Hatzistergos". www.justinian.com.au. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
4. "Attorneys-General 1823 – present". History. NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
5. Bench calls former Attorney General; http://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/media-news/media-releases/2014/bench-calls-former-ag.aspx
6. Carrick, Damien (10 June 2008). "Charter of rights: different views from north and south of the Murray" (transcript). ABC Radio – The Law Report. Australia. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
7. Mitchell, Alex (27 June 2010). "Hatz should knuckle down and find a job". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
8. Duffy, Michael (20 June 2010). "Judgment on jails is bar talk". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
9. "Hatzistergos to leave parliament". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
10. "New Labor faces decided for NSW Parliament". ABC News. Australia. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
11. "Labor votes two MPs to NSW Upper House". Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
12. "Adjunct professors". UTS Law. University of Technology Sydney. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
13. SMH 5 5 Aug 2014 New bail act to take victims, organised crime links into account; http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/new-bail-act-to-take-victims-organised-crime-links-into-account-20140804-100dve.html