The Hon Justice Terry Sheahan AO

The Hon Justice Terry Sheahan AO is an Australian judge and former politician who was born on August 18, 19471. He served as the Labor member for Burrinjuck in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1973 to 1988 and held various ministerial portfolios, including Attorney General of New South Wales, between 1980 and 198812. On April 9, 1997, he was appointed as a judge on the New South Wales Land and Environment Court, and he retired from this role in 20191. He is the current patron of ADRA - Australian Dispute Resolution Association, a professional mediation association and accreditation body1.

Terry Sheahan was the only son of Bill Sheahan, who was also a member of the Legislative Assembly (1941–73)1. He attended school in Lewisham before studying at the University of Sydney, receiving a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law in 19691. He worked as a solicitor from 1967 and was called to the bar in 19821. He had joined the Willoughby branch of the Labor Party in January 1964 and went on to be a member of the Yass, Cootamundra, and Gladesville branches1.

In 1973, Bill Sheahan retired, and Terry was elected to his seat of Burrinjuck1. He was secretary of the Parliamentary Labor Party from 1976 until his elevation to the ministry in 1980 as Housing and Cooperative Services Minister1. In 1983, he became Energy and Finance Minister, moving to Planning and Environment in 19841. Later in 1984, he became Attorney General, a post he held until 1987, when he became Transport Minister1. Sheahan was defeated in Burrinjuck by Liberal candidate Alby Schultz when Labor lost office in 19881. In 1989, Sheahan became President of the New South Wales Labor Party, serving until 1997, when he resigned to accept an appointment as a Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, a post he continued to hold.

Terry Sheahan was appointed as a Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales on April 9, 1997 1. He served as the President of the New South Wales Workers Compensation Commission from November 2001 to November 2007 1. However, I could not find any information about his role on the Industrial Commission.

The New South Wales Workers Compensation Commission is an independent statutory tribunal that resolves workers’ compensation disputes between workers, employers, and insurers across New South Wales 1. It was established on March 1, 2021, replacing the Workers Compensation Commission of New South Wales 23. The commission resolves disputes between people injured in motor accidents and workplaces, insurers, and employers 1. It also provides dispute resolution pathways for workers’ compensation disputes 1. The commission is presided over by a judge, called a President, who determines appeals and questions of law.