Kate W
University
University of Queensland
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws
Background
I studied science/law at University because I was fascinated by science and wanted to combine it with a degree that was general and practical and which I hoped would provide me with a wider array of career options. While studying I worked part-time for a commercial planning and environment law firm and though it was excellent experience and I enjoyed my time there, I often felt that I was on the wrong side of litigation with respect to the environment. I became interested in environmental law during my semester studying on exchange in Singapore in 2007 where I undertook a number of international environmental law subjects. In my final year of university, applying to the environment department's graduate program seemed like a natural choice when considering graduate positions.
Placements
First Placement
Ozone and Synthetic Gas Section, Environment Protection Branch, Environment Quality Division
This section is responsible for administering the The Ozone and Protection and Sythetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and its Regulations which have been enacted to comply with Australia's commitments under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. During my rotation, I had the opportunity to be involved in a wide variety of activities including project work, regulation amendments, stakeholder consultation and researching and advising on new gases proposed to be included under the new 2012 post-Kyoto agreement.
Second Placement
Water Market Section, Market Development Branch, Water Governance Division
This section has a high level, strategic role in developing water policy with a particular focus on the development of efficient water markets. The two key tasks of the section are to oversee the development and implementation of the water market, water charge and trading rules by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) under the Water Act 2007 and work on addressing the barriers to water trade, such as the removal of the four per cent limit on permanent trade out of irrigation areas.
Third Placement
Legal Section, Strategic Advice Branch, Policy Coordination Division
This section provides general legal advice to the program areas of the department and coordinates the department's legislative program. In my time in the legal section, I was involved in providing general legal advice on a wide variety of programs administered by the department. Undertaking a rotation in the policy co-ordination division, one of the central divisions of the department, was particularly valuable as it gave me a much broader, bird's eye view of the department's activities across the portfolio.
Final Placement
At the end of the graduate year, I was lucky enough to be offered a final position to continue in the legal section as a legal officer.
'the best thing about working for us ... is the environment'