Tony Lawrence

Profile

Tony Lawrence is highly respected in his specialized areas of practice being industrial and employment law, equal opportunity law, occupational health and safety law and administrative law. 

Tony held the independent statutory office of the Victorian Workplace Rights Advocate from May 2006 to February 2009. As part of his statutory powers and functions Tony:

• advised the Victorian Minister for Industrial Relations on industrial relations arrangements and practices in Victoria;
• consulted widely with employers and employees and their representative organisations and associations about their respective workplace rights and responsibilities;
• conducted seminars across Victoria informing and educating employers and employees about their rights and responsibilities under federal workplace relations laws and Victorian workplace relations laws including equal opportunity and occupational health and safety laws;
• developed and disseminated a wide range of publications including a Workplace Essentials Guide for Small Business and Pregnancy and Workplace Rights Guides for both employers and employees;
• investigated illegal and unfair employment practices in Victoria;
• conducted and commissioned research into a wide range of workplace related matters;
• made submissions to various Federal and State inquiries into workplace related matters.

Prior to being appointed as the Victorian Workplace Rights Advocate Tony was a Barrister at the Victorian Bar practising in his areas of specialization. Tony had an extensive practice representing employers and employees and their respective organizations and associations across a broad range of industries including education, health, security, manufacturing, transport, construction and essential services.  

Tony is also a highly experienced mediator and negotiator.