Accountability Round Table is deeply saddened by the passing of its founder, Tim Smith.
His tireless commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in government and to the precept that “public office is a public trust” set the standard for the ongoing work of Accountability Round Table. His dedication to legal accuracy and impartiality in all his work on reforms to government integrity and his ability to negotiate those reforms contributed greatly to Australia’s quality of governance and democracy.
Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria – 1 May 1990 – 4 August 2009
Founder and Chair Accountability Round Table – 22 April 2006 – 10 February 2018
Tim was a remarkable contributor – one of a generation of highly principled leaders of the Victorian Bar and it was my privilege to know him before he was appointed to the Court, as a judge and later in his leadership of the ART.
There was never any question for Tim, like Stephen Charles and Michael Strong and others of that generation, that if you saw corruption in the public domain you spoke its name without fear. That clarity of purpose and the courage to speak out, are less apparent in today’s leaders who temper their public remarks out of fear of reprisal, or with an eye to self promotion or other advantage.
Tim was also kind and encouraging of me and I am very grateful that he and Angela took such an interest in mentoring me.
Fiona McLeod AO SC