Born: Unknown, Australia (assumed)
Died: Unknown
Country most active: Australia
Also known as: NA
This biography is republished from The Encyclopedia of Women and Leadership in Twentieth-Century Australia. Written by Caitlin Stone, The University of Melbourne. See below for full attribution.
Disability rights activist and Lawyer
Born with a disability, Fiona Smith has tried throughout her life to use her ‘personal experiences to build bridges with other people whilst guarding against being typecast’ (Our Community Leaders website). A qualified barrister and mediator she has played a leading role in many community and government organisations including as Chair, Equal Opportunity Commission (Victoria) (2004 to 2008) and Executive Chair, Business Licensing Authority (Victoria). She is a patron of the Victorian Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Coalition, a Non-Executive Director of Yooralla and Policy and Research Advisor with Trust for Nature.
The following is republished with permission from the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
Fiona Smith has been at the forefront of social justice practice and regulatory innovation for over twenty years.
As a public interest lawyer, Fiona has a rare combination of knowledge and experience across a broad canvas of the business and community sectors. This knowledge has been applied in regulatory, quasi-judicial, human rights, consumer and community environments.
As Chairperson for the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria (2003-2008), Fiona oversaw the introduction of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act, a ground-breaking reform for the state.
As Chairperson of Victoria’s Business Licensing Authority from 1998 to 2009, Fiona led a significant part of Victoria’s regulatory reform.
Her three years as Chair of the Resources Building for Small Organisations Project (1985-1988) resulted in the establishment of Ross House, an important resource for self-help groups in Melbourne which continues today.
Fiona was instrumental in establishing the organisation Disability Attendant Support Services Inc. She maintains strong links with the community sector including current board appointments as Director of Yooralla, Charter Member of Brotherhood of St
Laurence and Director, Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre Limited.
In 2003, Fiona was awarded the Centenary Medal for her contribution to the Victorian justice system.
Work cited
Caitlin Stone, ‘Smith, Fiona’, in The Encyclopedia of Women and Leadership in Twentieth-Century Australia, Australian Women’s Archives Project, 2014, https://www.womenaustralia.info/leaders/biogs/WLE0392b.htm, accessed 16 January 2022.