The Industrial Court covers matters from the regulation of unions, such as applications for administration, to disputes over wages, conditions and safety.
Justice Paingakulam’s experience includes the Enforcement Directorate at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), where she contributed significantly to investigations of criminal matters including fraud, market manipulation and insider trading.
Justice Paingakulam experienced a distinguished career in public service before coming to the bench, for which she was awarded an Australia Day Medal for Public Service.
Admitted as a solicitor in 1996, Justice Paingakulam worked for Emil Ford & Co before moving to the Office of the Employment Advocate, where she became a senior lawyer in legal and compliance.
After her work at ASIC, Justice Paingakulam joined the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), where she led investigations into significant whistleblowing cases.
In 2009, she was called to the Bar and practised in predominately criminal and work health and safety matters. This included appearing as junior counsel in the $105 million Plutus Payroll tax fraud trial, which ran for eleven months.
A ceremonial sitting to welcome Her Honour was held at the Chief Secretary’s Building in Sydney.
Acting Minister for Industrial Relations Daniel Mookhey said:
“I congratulate Justice Paingakulam on her appointment to the Industrial Relations Commission and the Industrial Court.
“Justice Paingakulam is held in high regard by the legal profession. Her expertise in work health and safety law will ensure the re-established Industrial Court is well placed to deal with these matters.”
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
“Justice Paingakulam brings a wealth of experience to her new role – she is a committed public servant with the highest levels of integrity.
“The re-established Industrial Court will play a critical role in our state’s industrial relations framework.
“Justice Paingakulam will be essential to its success.
“I warmly welcome Justice Paingakulam to the Industrial Relations Commission and to the Industrial Court.”
