The Allan Labor Government is taking a significant step towards clearing the residential tenancy cases backlog and reducing wait times across the board with the appointment of 20 new members to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The addition of these new resources reflects the Labor Government’s work to ensure timely resolution for all Victorians seeking justice through VCAT.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes today congratulated the new VCAT members on their appointments. The new VCAT members are:
Jillian Bartlett
Michael Bevan
Dr Louise Bygrave
Seuna Byrne
Jeremy Cass
Robert Chamberlain
Simon Cohen
Donna D’Alessandro
Natalie Fleming
Renée Gorenstein
Martin Guthrie
Dr Adrian Hoel
Clare Lethlean
Nicole Maher
Cassandra Rea
Julia Reid
Michael Ryall
Jodie Stroud
Cassandra Tanner
Tania Wolff
Sixteen of the new appointees will start work on reducing the residential tenancies backlog early in the New Year with the backlog scheduled to be fully cleared before the end of 2024. The other four new members will work on the Planning and Environment lists.
The Victorian Budget 2022/23 invested more than $300 million to respond to increased demand across the justice system, including $41 million to help clear case backlogs caused by the pandemic.
The Government is also establishing Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria as part of the Housing Statement — providing a one-stop shop for renters, agents and landlords to resolve tenancy disputes.
The new appointees will start with VCAT by January 2024.
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes
“I congratulate our 20 new appointees who each bring a world of experience as well as a strong commitment to serving the Victorian public.”
“I look forward to seeing the positive contribution these appointees make to VCAT and to ensuring Victorians continue to have access to justice in a timely manner.”
Reviewed 28 November 2023