Lila
Home State
New South Wales
University
University of Sydney
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Hons)
Bachelor of Law (Hons)
Background
I studied Arts/Law at University, doing my honours year in Australian History, more particularly, American serviceman on rest and recreation leave in Australia during the Vietnam War. Not a particularly environmental topic... I went on to focus my law degree on environmental law at both Sydney University and while on exchange in the United States at Duke University. After 6 long years at university I took some time travelling around Central America and then headed home to start as a graduate at a law firm in Sydney. I made my way though a property and litigation rotation at Freehills and also spent some time in a pro bono position at the Kingsford Legal Centre. I was drawn to government for the opportunity to shape policy and instigate change. My interest in, and the importance I place on environmental issues brought me to DEWHA.
Placements
First Placement
Legislation Policy Section/Business Systems and Governance Branch/Approvals and Wildlife Division (AWD)
I was placed in this section to begin with because of my legal background and it was a great way to start the transition from the private sector to the public policy sphere. The legislation policy section of AWD focuses on interpretation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The section provides advice within the department on issues of interpretation and application of the EPBC Act. The advice considers policy factors as well as purely legal, statutory interpretation issues.
During my time in the section I assisted with;
- providing advice to queries from the department;
- drafting guidance notes for the department on aspects of the EPBC Act;
- reviewing various other legislation administered by the department;
- finalising bilateral assessment agreements between the Commonwealth and the States; and
- research on issues of legislative interpretation.
This rotation allowed me to become familiar, fairly quickly, with the EPBC Act and provided a great overview of the division, particularly of how assessments under the Act are carried out.
Second Placement
Budget Strategy Unit/Strategic Advice Branch/Policy Coordination Division
I chose this section in order to get some experience in coordination and bigger picture strategic policy work. This rotation was an excellent way to understand how the department works as a whole and how programs and policies are funded through the budget process.
The work involved;
- Preparing for Senate Estimates;
- Developing a new policy proposal template for the start of the budget cycle;
- Reviewing Cabinet Submissions from various areas of the Department.
Third Placement
Water Holdings and Shepherding Section/Environmental Water Branch/Water Governance Division
I chose this section so I could get some policy experience on a specific subject area. It was a very interesting rotation and I gained a good understanding of the issues surrounding the Murray-Darling Basin and the logistical issues of supplying water to various parts of the system. This section worked on the strategic issues of shepherding water, purchased by the Commonwealth, to optimise environmental benefit in the Basin.
In this rotation I worked on;
- Negotiation and drafting of bilateral agreements with States on water shepherding;
- Advice within the department on water acquisition;
- Question time briefs and Ministerial briefs on the issues of water shepherding.
Final Placement
Budget Strategy Unit
I chose to settle in the Budget Unit to continue to gain experience in the Budget processes. Starting in December means I will be involved in the preparation of the department’s budget documents for the 2010-11 Budget. After Budget night in May, the work focuses on preparation for Senate estimates and then work starts again for the next Budget cycle and the collation and review of new policy proposals in the department.
'the best thing about working for us ... is the environment'