A-G gees up kids

By Bridget Cook
Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls visited the school, organised by Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley, to talk to the legal studies students about his role and how he reached that position.
Mr Hulls studied legal studies in Years 11 and 12 with the intention of going on to studying law at university. While he did not attain the required entry requirement to study law after completing Year 12, he went on to complete his law degree after pursuing other university studies.
Mr Hulls said that he did not listen to those who said that he would never be a lawyer and pursued his passion.
“Have a passion, have a dream and go for it,” Mr Hulls told the students.
After completing his degree, Mr Hulls went to work with Aboriginal communities in Mount Isa, Queensland, because he believed that everybody was entitled to access to legal representation and justice.
As Attorney-General, Mr Hulls drew upon his experience in Mount Isa when he established a series of Koori Courts in Victoria, recognising the need for a far more culturally sensitive justice system.
Mr Hulls also spoke about family violence.
One in four women in Victoria were subjected to family violence at some point in their life and many were too afraid to come forward, Mr Hulls said.
Mr Hulls also spoke about Youth Peer Panels, which build on the experience and success of Youth Courts in the United States as youth justice programs where young people are sentenced by their peers.
Ms Graley arranged the visit so that students could gain an in-depth understanding of the role of the Attorney-General that was not available in textbooks.
“The Attorney-General is a great law reformer and it was terrific that students had the chance to hear his passion for making the legal and justice system in Victoria firm but fair,” Ms Graley said.