CLANT gongs Hunyor

From time to time, CLANT confers “The Gong” on one of its members. Past recipients have been Suzan Cox QC, Rex Wild QC, Jon Tippett QC and Russell Goldflam.  At the 2015 CLANT conference, The Gong was awarded to Jonathon Hunyor, Principal Legal Officer, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency.

The Gong comprises a framed copy of the striking passage with which Deane J comemnced his leading judgment in Donaldson v Broomby (1982) 60 FLR 124, signed by the author:

Arrest is the deprivation of freedom.  The ultimate instrument of arrest is force. The customary companions of arrest are ignominy and fear.  A police practice of arbitrary arrest is a hallmark of tyranny.

Jonathon Hunyor’s contribution to criminal law in the Northern Territory has been outstanding, particularly as a strategic litigator, both in court and behind the scenes, involving issues including, but not limited to:

• Mandatory sentencing (including: The Queen v Duncan [2015] NTCCA 2 (junior to Georgiou SC); Dhamarrandji v Curtis [2014] NTSC 39; Orsto v Grotherr [2015] NTSC 18; Leo v The Queen [2014] NTCCA 8 (junior to Wyvill SC))
• Part IIA Criminal Code Supervision Orders
• Civil detention of serious sex offenders (Attorney-General of the Northern Territory v EE [2014] NTCA 1 (junior to Wild QC))
• Challenge to the validity of the Alcohol Protection Orders Act 2013 (NT)  (including Nummar v Pennuto & Ors [2014] NTSC 34 (instructing Wyvill SC))
• Challenge to the validity of the “Paperless arrests” provisions of the Police Administration Act (NT)

He has also published widely including:

• Imprison me NT (2015 CLANT conference)
• Territory Lifestyle: Behind Bars? (2013 NTCOSS conference)
• A Kangaroo Loose in the Top Paddock – Criminal Justice, Mental Impairment and Fitness for Trial in the Northern Territory (2012 Uluru Criminal Law conference)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Access to Justice (2012 Commonwealth Regional Law Conference)
• A judge short of a full bench – mental impairment and fitness to plead in the NT criminal legal system with Michelle Swift (2011 CLANT conference)
• ‘The Court is that way’ – some thoughts on responding to recruitment and retention challenges (2011 National Legal Aid Best Practice Conference)
• Is it time to re-think special measures under the Racial Discrimination Act? The case of the Northern Territory Intervention (2009) 14(2)AJHR 39
• Custom and Culture in Bail and Sentencing: Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution? [2007] IndigLawB 43
• Don’t jail the ferryman: the sentencing of Indonesian people movers (CLANT 2001 conference)
• Mandatory Sentencing & the concentration of powers with Russell Goldflam (1999 CLANT conference)
• The Northern Territory Duty Lawyer Handbook (principal editor)

Furthermore, he has shown outstanding leadership as a manager and advocate under exceptionally difficult circumstances as Principal Legal Officer of NAAJA.