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Victor Dominello

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Victor Dominello
DipLaw, MLA
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Ryde
Incumbent
Assumed office
28 October 2008
Preceded byJohn Watkins
Majority13.0%
Personal details
Born (1967-07-30) 30 July 1967 (age 57)
Ryde, New South Wales, Australia New South Wales
Political partyLiberal Party of Australia
ResidenceMeadowbank, New South Wales
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
ProfessionSolicitor

Victor Michael Dominello MP (born 30 July 1967) is an Australian politician and the current member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the electorate of Ryde. He was sworn in on October 28, 2008.

After a career as a solicitor, Dominello was elected to the Parliament of New South Wales following a Ryde by-election triggered by the resignation of his predecessor John Watkins. The by-election saw Dominello receive one of the largest recorded two-party swings in Australian political history at 23.1 percent.[1]

Background

The Dominello Family has connections with Ryde dating back to the 1930s when his grandparents settled in North Ryde and established a 30-acre market garden around Shrimpton's Creek. Dominello was born at Ryde Hospital and attended Holy Spirit School in North Ryde, Marist College Eastwood and later went on to study law through the Solicitors Admissions Board.

In 1991, Dominello was admitted as a practitioner of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia after taking the Solicitor’s Admission Board Examinations. Since his admission, Dominello was involved in a number of complex cases of broad compass.

In one of his first cases, Dominello represented applicants in the Maralinga cases, who sought compensation following the findings made by the Royal Commission into British nuclear tests in Australia. Dominello successfully obtained an order that the limitation period be significantly extended to enable the applicants’ claims to be maintained.[2]

In 1994, Dominello commenced his employment with Etheringtons Solicitors of North Sydney.

In 1996, Dominello represented workers in a series of widely reported unfair dismissal proceedings involving piggeries associated with former Prime Minister Paul Keating.[3]

In 1996, Dominello was involved in a lengthy Inquiry into the Communication Workers Union of Australia election, which resulted in orders that a fresh election be held on account of voting fraud.[4] These election inquiry proceedings were also widely commented and reported on, including regular articles in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Daily Telegraph, together with a story on 60 Minutes and other current affair programs. In addition, Paul Sheehan dedicated a chapter to these inquiry proceedings “The Vote Eaters” in his best selling book Among The Barbarians. Submissions were also made to the Federal Government’s Joint House Standing Committee on Electoral Matters[5] in relation to this election Inquiry. Dominello thereafter successfully obtained orders that Australia Post reinstate a worker who was seeking to expose the voting fraud following the worker's unfair dismissal.[6]

In 2000, Dominello represented an applicant in the matter of Williams v Robinson & the Commonwealth of Australia.[7] This was a claim brought in the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission. This resulted a record award in favour of the applicant on account of findings of sexual harassment.

In 2000, Dominello became a Partner of Etheringtons Solicitors.

In 2000, Dominello also represented applicants in complex proceedings in the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales, where staff members sought damages against members of Parliament and the Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for unfair contract.[8]

In 2001, Dominello successfully obtained orders allowing an applicant to take over the conduct of supreme court proceedings on behalf of a liquidator.[9].

In 2002, he successfully defended a company against a claim for over $7 million, on the grounds that the claim was based on fraudulent documents.[10] In these proceedings, he obtained indemnity costs orders against non-parties to the litigation.[11] The Supreme Court Justice in this case noted that she had not encountered a case like this in all her time in practice. This decision to order indemnity costs against a non party, was subsequently affirmed by the New South Wales Court of Appeal.[12]

In 2003, Dominello successfully obtained orders restraining a liquidator on the grounds that the liquidator acted unconscionably.[13] This decision was subsequently upheld by the New South Wales Court of Appeal.[14] The Court of Appeal subsequently ordered the Liquidator to personally pay the costs of the litigation without recourse to company assets.[15]

Dominello was also successful in an application to remove a court appointed liquidator on the grounds of misconduct.[16] The liquidator was also ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings on an indemnity basis. This was the first time since 1984 that a court appointed liquidator was removed on the grounds of misconduct. In addition, the Supreme Court ordered an Inquiry into the damage that the Liquidator caused the company as a result of his misconduct.

In 2006, Dominello represented an applicant who successfully obtained declaratory orders requiring an insurer to indemnify under a policy of insurance.[17]

Between 1997 and 2008, Dominello represented the applicant husband in one of the longest and most complicated cases in the history of the Family Court of Australia. This case resulted in orders that the wife be sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for contempt of court. These orders were reviewed by the Full Court of the High Court of Australia.[18] and later upheld by the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia[19]

Following his election to the Parliament of New South Wales in October 2008, Dominello stepped down as Partner at Etheringtons of North Sydney.

Local Government

In 1995, at age 28, Dominello was elected as a Councillor of the City of Ryde and served two terms, stepping down in 2004 to focus on his legal career.

Whilst on Council, Dominello was chair of a number of committees including the Development Committee and had a significant involvement in the establishment of the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre and the development of the Macquarie Business Park.

2008 Ryde By-election

On September 3 2008, following a series of turbulent months politically for the Iemma Labor Government in NSW, the then Deputy Premier and Transport Minister John Watkins resigned from office, triggering a by-election in his seat of Ryde.

Within a matter of weeks following the Government's failed privatisation of the power industry, the NSW Labor caucus voted Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees as Premier, with Iemma and Health Minister Reba Meagher resigning from Parliament, necessitating by-elections in their seats of Lakemba and Cabramatta.

Saturday, October 18 saw four major by-elections across NSW (the Port Macquarie by-election was caused by the resignation of independent Rob Oakeshott to run for the recently vacated Federal seat of Lyne), with the possibility of Labor losing control of the three seats they held.

After a snap Liberal preselection in Ryde, Dominello was chosen as the Liberal Party candidate, beating Ryde Mayor Vic Tagg and several other local party members. Chosen as the non-factional candidate, Dominello lead the party to the election under the 'Start the Change' banner.

NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell celebrates the 2008 Ryde by-election win with Victor Dominello and NSW Deputy Opposition Leader Jillian Skinner

Dominello successfully campaigned on a zero tolerance approach to graffiti and vandalism in the community, a five-point plan to upgrade Ryde Hospital, opposition to the Government's increase in rail and bus fares and a commitment to lobbying for better public transport in the area.

Polling leading up to the election indicated that the Liberals may pick up the required 10.2% swing to win the seat and many media sources predicted a narrow Liberal win. However, no one at the time of the pre-selection or throughout the campaign predicted a swing of 23.1%.[citation needed] ABC election analyst Antony Green stated that the swing received by Dominello and the Liberals was the largest recorded swing in NSW history and most likely the largest in Australia since Federation.[citation needed]

Parliamentary career

Victor Dominello posing with Andrew Stoner, NSW Leader of The Nationals, Barry O'Farrell, NSW Opposition Leader and Gladys Berejiklian, Shadow Minister for Transport

Dominello was sworn in as a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly on October 28 2008. Since then, he has spoken in Parliament about a number of local issues including the future of Ryde Hospital[20], the Homebush V8 Supercar race[21][22] and the increase to the Parking Space Levy[23] . Dominello employed his legal expertise in the examination of the Government's covert search powers bill and discovered an omission in a section of the bill relating to the definition of serious offences[24]. As a result, the Opposition was able to have the bill amended in the Legislative Council to reflect the discovery.

Dominello has also fought passionately for the installation of flashing lights at school zones within his electorate. With the assistance of School Zone Flashing Lights advocate Peter Olsen, Dominello has organised the installation of private non-RTA school zone flashing lights at Denistone East Public School. Since the lights became operational in May 2009, several other schools have contacted Dominello for the private signs to be installed as the RTA have not announced any new installations in the Ryde area.[citation needed]

The issue of graffiti crackdown in Ryde has also been an important matter to Dominello. In July 2009, he hosted a series of community forums designed to engage the community in finding a solution to the problem.[citation needed]

Personal life

Prior to entering politics, Dominello traveled extensively around the world, visiting locations such as India, Central and South America, Europe, the United States and Asia. He was a member of the North Ryde Golf Club for many years and is a dedicated supporter and member of the Wests Tigers.[citation needed]

Shortly after the by-election, Dominello moved to Marsfield to fulfil his election commitment of moving into the electorate if successful. In July 2009, he moved permanently to his new residence in Meadowbank. [25]

References

  1. ^ "ABC Elections: 2008 Ryde by-election". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  2. ^ "Maureen Mary Southworth v Commonwealth of Australia 1992 FCA 153 (9 April 1992)".
  3. ^ "Kenneth PURDUE Paul ELLISON Peter JACKSON v. BROWN AND HATTON GROUP PTY LIMITED (A.C.N. 003 573 537) 1996 IRCA 116 (18 March 1996)".
  4. ^ "In the matter of an election for an office in the Communication Workers' Union of Australia Postal and Telecommunications Branch, New South Wales 1996 IRCA 207 (10 May 1996)".
  5. ^ "Joint House Standing Committee on Electoral Matters".
  6. ^ "Cook v Australia Post 1997 IRCA 84 (17 March 1997)".
  7. ^ "Williams v Robinson & the Commonwealth of Australia".
  8. ^ "Frost v The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales 2000 NSWIRComm 70".
  9. ^ "BL & GY International Co. Ltd v Hypec Electronics Pty Ltd; Colin Anthony Mead v David Patrick Watson & Ors. 2001 NSWSC 705".
  10. ^ "BL & GY International Co Ltd v Hypec Electronics Pty Limited and 2 others 2002 NSWSC 38".
  11. ^ "BL & GY International Co Ltd v Hypec Electronics Pty Limited & Ors 2002 NSWSC 575".
  12. ^ "Yang v Hypec Electronics Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) & 2 Ors 2003 NSWCA 181".
  13. ^ "Hypec Electronics Pty Limited (in liq) v Mead & Ors 2003 NSWSC 934".
  14. ^ "Hypec v Mead 2004 NSWCA 221".
  15. ^ "Mead v Watson as Liquidator for Hypec Electronics 2005 NSWCA 133".
  16. ^ "BL & GY v Hypec Electronics 2004 NSWSC 1119 (2 December 2004)".
  17. ^ "Mead v Allianz Australia Ltd 2006 NSWSC 366".
  18. ^ "Mead v Mead 2007 HCA 25".
  19. ^ "LGM & CAM (Contempt) 2008 FamCAFC 1".
  20. ^ "NSW Parliament Hansard. 12/03/09 - Ryde Hospital".
  21. ^ "NSW Parliament Hansard. 03/12/08 - Homebush Motor Racing (Sydney 400) Bill 2008".
  22. ^ "NSW Parliament Hansard. 03/12/08 - Homebush Motor Racing (Sydney 400) Bill 2008".
  23. ^ "NSW Parliament Hansard. 24/03/09 - Parking Space Levy Bill 2009".
  24. ^ "NSW Parliament Hansard. 11/03/08 - Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Amendment (Search Powers) Bill 2009".
  25. ^ "Northern District Times 11 March 2009".
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by Member for Ryde
2008–present 		Incumbent

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