Robert Cornall Explained

Robert Cornall
Order1:	11th Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department
Term Start1:	24 January 2000
Term End1:	31 August 2008
Predecessor1:	Tony Blunn
Successor1:	Roger Wilkins
Birth Name:	Robert John Cornall
Birth Place:	Melbourne
Occupation:	Public servant
Nationality:	Australian
Alma Mater:	University of Melbourne

Robert John Cornall is a retired Australian senior public servant, he was head of the Attorney-General's Department between 2000 and 2008.

Early life

Robert Cornall was born in Melbourne. He attended Wesley College, then studied for a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 1968.

Public service career

In January 1968, Cornall took up a position in the lawfirm Oswald Burt & Co (later Middeltons Oswald Burt, Solicitors). He was promoted to Partner of the firm in July 1972.

Cornall left Middeltons Oswald Burt, Solicitors in 1987 and moved to a position as Executive Director and Secretary of the not-for-profit member-based Law Institute of Victoria.

Between December 1995 and December 1999, Cornall was the Managing Director of Victoria Legal Aid.

Cornall was appointed Secretary of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department in 2000.^[1] In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the Attorney-General's Department was responsible for implementing the Howard government's national security agenda.^[2] The department grew rapidly in numbers under Cornall's leadership, from 550 staff to over 1500.^[2]

Cornall retired from the Attorney-General's Department in July 2008.^[3]

On 30 July 2017 he became Acting President of the Australian Law Reform Commission.^[4]

Public profile and enquiries

• As Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department he commented on the alleged torture of Mamdouh Habib.^[5] He stated there was no substance to the allegations; however, the Australian Government later settled with Habib out of court.^[6]
• After his retirement Cornall conducted an investigation for the Australian Government into allegations of sexual abuse at Manus Island.^[7]
• Review of conflict of interest of members of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority regarding dumping in the Park.^{[8] [9]}
• In February 2014 he was appointed to conduct 'a review into the circumstances surrounding the Manus Island disturbances, in which an Iranian detainee (Reza Berati) was killed,^[10] with the primary focus on management of security at the centre.^{[11] [12] [13]}

Awards

In 2006, Cornall was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the community through contributions to the development of public policy, particularly counter-terrorism arrangements in a changing global security environment and through providing advice and governance across a diverse range of responsibilities within the civil justice system.

Notes and References

1. New Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department. 24 January 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20140201015952/http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=11274. 1 February 2014. John. Howard. John Howard.
2. News: Howard defender Cornall steps down from top post. Nicola. Berkovic. The Australian. 8 August 2008.
3. Appointment of Departmental Secretary. Kevin. Rudd. Kevin Rudd. 31 July 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20131110122839/http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=16039. 10 November 2013.
4. Web site: Mr Robert Cornall AO, Acting President. Australian Law Reform Commission. 31 July 2017. 9 August 2017.
5. News: Dept backs Ruddock's denials of Habib torture claims . 14 February 2005 . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 28 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228043220/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-02-14/dept-backs-ruddocks-denials-of-habib-torture-claims/1518692.
6. News: Mamdouh Habib's story is backed by evidence . Sally. Neighbour . 15 January 2011 . The Australian.
7. News: Sex assaults at Manus Island centre appear likely to go unpunished . Paul. Farrell . Oliver. Laughland . 1 November 2013 . . 21 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131121194121/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/01/sex-assaults-manus-island-unpunished.
8. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority conflict of interest inquiry. 28 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228044032/http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/hunt/2014/mr20140224a.html . Greg. Hunt . Greg Hunt . 24 February 2014 .
9. News: Great Barrier Reef authority board members cleared of improper conduct . Oliver. Milman . 24 February 2014 . The Guardian . 28 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228043534/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/24/great-barrier-reef-authority-board-members-cleared-of-improper-conduct.
10. News: Manus Island inquiry will be led by Robert Cornall, says Scott Morrison . Paul. Farrell . 21 February 2014 . The Guardian . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228043610/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/21/manus-island-inquiry-will-be-led-by-robert-cornall-says-scott-morrison . 28 February 2014.
11. Web site: Terms of Reference Review into the events of 16-18 February 2014 at the Manus Regional Processing Centre . 27 February 2014 . Department Immigration and Border Protection . Canberra . 28 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228043700/http://www.immi.gov.au/pub-res/Pages/reviews-and-inquiries/manus-tor-feb2014.aspx . live.
12. News: Consultant investigating Manus Island unrest insists he is independent . Paul. Farrell . 27 February 2014 . The Guardian . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228043817/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/27/consultant-investigating-manus-insists-independent . 28 February 2014.
13. Web site: Cornell . Robert . Review into the Events of 16 - 18 February 2014 at the Manus Regional Processing Centre . Department of Immigration and Border Protection . 26 May 2014 . PDF-6 MB . 23 May 2014.