Five new appointments have been made to the Fair Work Commission, bringing extensive experience in workplace relations, law and business, industry and commerce to the tribunal.
The appointees will join existing members, assisting the Commission in performing new functions arising from the Albanese Government's Closing Loopholes laws.
These functions include powers in relation to regulated labour hire orders, 'employee-like' workers performing digital platform work, 'unfair contracts' for certain independent contractors, and the right to disconnect.
The appointees are:
- Mr Kamal Farouque has been appointed as Deputy President, commencing on 7 April 2025
- Mr Trevor Clarke has been appointed as a Commissioner, commencing on 24 March 2025
- Mr Adam Walkaden has been appointed as a Commissioner, commencing on 24 March 2025
- Ms Jessica Rogers has been appointed as a Commissioner, commencing on 1 April 2025
- Ms Adele Labine-Romain has been reappointed as an Expert Panel Member, commencing on 12 March 2025.
The Deputy President and Commissioner have been appointed until they reach the statutory retirement age of 65. Ms Labine-Romain has been reappointed for a five‑year term.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Murray Watt welcomed the appointments.
"The work of the Commission is vital to Australians' lives and livelihoods," Minister Watt said.
"The Albanese Government has been hard at work this term delivering laws that ensure secure jobs, better pay and safer workplaces, and the FWC is busy working through the implementation of those reforms.
"I know they will execute their duties with impartiality, dedication and diligence."
The Albanese Government continues to deliver on its promise to ensure the Fair Work Commission reflects a mix of members from employer and worker backgrounds. This follows the former Coalition Government appointing 26 people with an employer background, of the 27 appointments it made to the Commission, meaning after these appointments, the majority of current members still come from an employer background.
BIOGRAPHIES:
Mr Kamal Farouque has been a principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn since 2010. Before then, Mr Farouque was a senior associate (2008-2010) and in-house counsel (2004-2008) at Maurice Blackburn. Mr Farouque has also been a barrister at the Victorian Bar (1999-2004), a national industrial officer, Finance Sector Union (1998-1999), an associate at the Federal Court of Australia (1997-1998), a prosecutions officer, Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (1997-1998), a trainee industrial advocate, Australian Council of Trade Unions (1996-1997), and a graduate public servant, Commissioner for Public Employment, South Australia (1995-1996). Mr Farouque was recognised as a pre-eminent union and employee representation lawyer across Australia in Doyle's Guide from 2016-2024. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide.
Mr Trevor Clarke has been manager, Industrial and Legal, at the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) since 2015. Mr Clarke has held various roles at the ACTU since 2009, including as director of Industrial and Research (2012-2015), and as a legal and industrial officer (2009-2012). Mr Clarke has held several positions at Slater & Gordon including as a senior associate (2007-2009), an associate (2005-2007) and a solicitor (2001-2004). Mr Clarke was also a legal and industrial officer at the United Firefighters Union in 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts from La Trobe University.
Mr Adam Walkaden has served as the national legal director of the Mining and Energy Union since 2022. Before this, Mr Walkaden was national legal officer in the Mining and Energy Division of the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union (2013-2022) and a legal officer at the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (2007-2013). Mr Walkaden was recognised as a leading Australian in-house employment and work health and safety lawyer in Doyle's Guide in 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University.
Ms Jessica Rogers has served as a Commissioner on the South Australian Employment Tribunal (SAET) since 2023. Before her SAET appointment, Ms Rogers held roles in the Communications, Electrical, Energy and Plumbing Union - South Australian Branch as assistant secretary (2019-22) and as an industrial officer (2012-22). She holds a Certificate IV in Legal Services from TAFE SA and holds an Australian National Mediation Accreditation from the Resolution Institute.
Ms Adele Labine-Romain has been the head of travel and tourism at Roy Morgan since 2024, and has served as an Expert Panel Member of the Commission since 2020. Before taking up her position at Roy Morgan, Ms Labine-Romain was a partner at Deloitte Access Economics (2017-2024), an executive general manager, Tourism Australia (2014-2016) and an executive director, Tourism and Transport Forum (2009-2014). She holds a Master of Business Administration from York University and Bachelor of Applied Arts, Business (Hons) from Toronto Metropolitan University.
