Name Robert Cornall Occupation Public servant | Nationality Australian | |
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Full Name Robert John Cornall Alma mater University of Melbourne | ||
Robert John Cornall AO is a retired Australian senior public servant, he was head of the Attorney-General's Department between 2000 and 2008.
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Early life
Robert Cornall was born in Melbourne. He attended Wesley College, then studied for a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 1968.
Public service career
In January 1968, Cornall took up a position in the lawfirm Oswald Burt & Co (later Middeltons Oswald Burt, Solicitors). He was promoted to Partner of the firm in July 1972.
Cornall left Middeltons Oswald Burt, Solicitors in 1987 and moved to a position as Executive Director and Secretary of the not-for-profit member-based Law Institute of Victoria.
Between December 1995 and December 1999, Cornall was the Managing Director of Victoria Legal Aid.
Cornall was appointed Secretary of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department in 2000. In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the Attorney-General's Department was responsible for implementing the Howard Government's national security agenda. The department grew rapidly in numbers under Cornall's leadership, from 550 staff to over 1500.
Cornall retired from the Attorney-General's Department in July 2008.
On 30 July 2017 he became Acting President of the Australian Law Reform Commission.
Public profile and enquiries
Awards
In 2006, Cornall was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the community through contributions to the development of public policy, particularly counter-terrorism arrangements in a changing global security environment and through providing advice and governance across a diverse range of responsibilities within the civil justice system.