McKay, Prof. J.

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:21): My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the minister inform the chamber about the recent appointment of Professor Jennifer McKay AM?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:21): I thank the honourable member for her question and I would be very pleased to do so. It is with great pleasure that I inform the chamber about—and offer my heartfelt congratulations to—Professor Jennifer McKay, an exceptional scholar and esteemed professor of business law at the University of South Australia's justice and society section.

I am delighted that Professor McKay has recently been honoured for her outstanding contributions in the field of the law and the legal profession. On the occasion of His Majesty the King's Birthday Honours List on 12 June, she was awarded an appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her exceptional achievements and unwavering commitment to her profession.

Professor McKay's illustrious career has spanned various procedures and institutions including the Melbourne, Adelaide and James Cook universities. In addition, she holds an adjunct appointment at the Australian National University's College of Law. Her extensive experience as a practitioner, coupled with her remarkable intellect, has enabled her to make significant contributions to the fields of environmental law, natural resources management and ecological sustainability.

Professor McKay has an Honours Bachelor of Arts, a PhD from the University of Melbourne, an LLB from Adelaide and a GDLP from the University of South Australia, as well as a diploma in human rights law from American University in Washington DC. She supervises PhD students and in 2019 was awarded supervisor of the year by the University of South Australia for going above and beyond the usual call of duty. Professor McKay has also won the University of South Australia research excellence awards twice, in 2008 and 2011. In 2008 she was placed by then minister the Hon. Jennifer Rankine, the former member for Wright, as a member of the Women's Honour Roll in South Australia for her services to water law and policy.

Professor McKay has authored over 180 publications, delving into critical areas such as freshwater management, environmental laws and achieving sustainable development. Beyond academic pursuits, Professor McKay is deeply committed to education and the advancement of learning. She is a passionate and innovative teacher, continuing to explore new ways to deliver complex and evolving material to her students. Her passion for environmental law and policy has led her to sponsor research grants at the University of South Australia encouraging cross-disciplinary research and knowledge, and knowledge exchange.

I am sure many will welcome me congratulating Professor Jennifer McKay on her remarkable accomplishments and wishing her continued success in her future endeavours.