Catherine Elizabeth McGregor
Canberra,ACT
Summary
I am in the final year of my legal studies. I am completing the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate) at Australian Catholic University. I have considerable legal experience over my career, including care and conduct of many personal injury claims while a paralegal at major law firms. This comprised both plaintiff and defendant matters. I am resilient having survived some intensely personal challenges over the course of my life. And I hope that my final career may offer an opportunity to support people facing personal struggles, especially those involving our legal system. I have a personal commitment to social justice and believe that I can make a meaningful contribution in this domain.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Personal Advisor/Speech Writer to Chief of Army
01.2001 - 01.2014
- Advise and direct policy development at strategic level including submissions to National Security Committee of Cabinet and White Paper teams
- Crisis management and public affairs advice to Service Chiefs on reputation issues arising in the media (Jedi Council and ADFA Skype Scandals)
- Liaison between Chief of Army and Ministerial Staff, media opinion leaders and senior industry leaders
- Numerous visits to deployed forces overseas and liaison with foreign military leadership
- Design and development of Army’s external messaging and production of all keynote speeches by the service Chief
- Editor of the Australian Army Journal 2005-2013
- Personal Staff and speech writer to Chief of Air Force (2014-15)
- Currently Deputy Director and Diversity Air Force. Implementation of Indigenous recruitment targets Diversity training for senior leaders and advice on implementation on transgender policy in Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy
- Military Referees: Sir Angus Houston; Air Marshal Geoff Brown AC (retired) Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (retired) Lieutenant General Simon Stuart Current Chief of Army.
Senior Official
New South Wales Branch Australian Labor Party
01.1986 - 01.1988
- Senior Official New South Wales Branch Australian Labor Party (1986-1988)
- Senior Political Adviser Robert J. Carr Leader of the New South Wales ALP (1988-1991)
- Speech Writer to the Honourable Kim Beazley 1996-1998 (part time)
- Speech writer to John Hewson Leader of the Federal Coalition 1993-1994
- Expert Political Commentator ABC, Fairfax and News Limited (1994-2002 2013-2018)
- Recently a contributor and co-host Sky News Australia and editorial writer at The Australian newspaper
- Cricket Commentator on ABC News Network
- Published author (3 books).
- Personal Referees: His Excellency Kim Beazley Governor of Western Australia; Mr. Arthur Moses SC; The Honourable Robert J Carr (Details of private contact details only provided if requested).
Colonel
Australian Army
01.1974 - 01.1981
- Military Officer (1974-1981) (1999- 2024) Colonel Australian Army
- Relevant Skills: Leadership of diverse, joint teams in both operational and peace environments
- A comprehensive understanding of Australian National Security policy and Federal Constitutional limits on Defence Powers and first-hand experience of enforcement of asylum seeker policies
- Service in sensitive and security cleared roles involving multi-agency national security operations
- Multiple operational deployments
- Command of 42 strong unit on sustained overseas operations overseas
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Tetum linguist (fluent but not current)
- Current Security Clearance (NV2)
- Ability to produce high quality outcomes under physical and mental stress
- Conduct training and mentor troops from recruits through to mid-ranking leaders
- Legal experience predominantly including in Public Law issues within the remit of Home Affairs
- Media substantial experience in broadcast journalism across all major mastheads in Australia and frequent appearances on television and radio as an expert commentator.
- Training foreign military forces for which I was awarded a citation delivering training in local language
Education
Juris Doctor -
Australian National University
Bachelor of Laws - undefined
Macquarie University
01.2011
Master of Arts - Military History
Australian Defence Force Academy
01.2009
Changing Character of War Program
Oxford University
01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Honours/History
Royal Military College Duntroon
01.1977
Skills
- Client relationship building
- Creativity and innovation
- Assertiveness
- Technological proficiency
Accomplishments
I was awarder the Order of Australia in January 2011 for exceptional leadership in the Australian Army. I was the 2016 Australian of The Year (Queensland).
Timeline
Personal Advisor/Speech Writer to Chief of Army
01.2001 - 01.2014
Senior Official
New South Wales Branch Australian Labor Party
01.1986 - 01.1988
Colonel
Australian Army
01.1974 - 01.1981
Bachelor of Laws - undefined
Macquarie University
Master of Arts - Military History
Australian Defence Force Academy
Changing Character of War Program
Oxford University
Bachelor of Arts - Honours/History
Royal Military College Duntroon
Juris Doctor -
Australian National University