A Tasmanian Palawa woman is one of four legal members appointed to an independent panel that will investigate alleged racism in the AFL, specifically the Hawthorn Football Club.
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Legal barrister Jacqualyn Turfey, who is a Palawa woman, began working in the legal sector when she was 15-years-old as an Aboriginal trainee in the Federal public service in Tasmania, before moving to Victoria.
She has "extensive experience practising across multiple areas in commercial litigation and practises across all areas of criminal law", including in Koori Courts, and also practes in family law, workplace disputes, community and commercial disputes and children's matters.
Ms Turfey's appointment will look at the alleged bullying and inappropriate conduct by the Hawthorn Football Club towards some of its players, in particular First Nations players and their families, between 2008 and 2016.
She will join Bernard Quinn KC, Tim Goodwin and Julie Buxton on the panel.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said First Nations representation on the panel was important.
"These are very serious allegations, and it is important that we have an independent panel that is able to hear the perspectives of all involved and to provide natural justice to those making the claims and those who have had claims made against them," Mr Dillon said.
"The four-person panel, with their diverse backgrounds including in respect of Ms Turfrey and Mr Goodwin as First Nations persons will also have the ability to bring in additional outside expertise, whether that be in cultural safety, football administration or any other area the panel believes extra resource is needed.
The panel is due to report back in December and it is expected that the report, including findings and recommendations, will be made public.
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