19 December 2025
An experienced Canberra lawyer and advocate has been appointed as the territory’s next Victims of Crime Commissioner.
Juliette Ford, who will take up her appointment on 23 February 2026, succeeds former Commissioner Heidi Yates, whose resignation was effective from 1 August 2025. Acting Commissioner Margie Rowe will continue in the role until 22 February 2026.
Attorney-General Tara Cheyne congratulated Ms Ford on her appointment.
“Juliette Ford’s career has been shaped by a deep commitment to human rights and advocacy,” the Attorney-General said.
“She brings a wealth of experience in family law, dispute resolution and victim advocacy, as well as a strong track record in driving systemic reform.
“Her leadership will be critical in helping victims of crime in the ACT receive timely, compassionate and effective support.
“I’d also like to thank Margie Rowe for her tenure as Acting Commissioner, and the compassion and advocacy she brought to the role throughout this year.”
Ms Ford brings more than two decades of experience in family law and advocacy. She joined the law firm Farrar Gesini Dunn in 2001 and became a partner in 2003, specialising in all areas of family law and collaborative practice. She has also worked with community legal centres, including the Aboriginal Legal Service in WA, and previously served as a Registrar of the Family Court of Australia.
Between 2021 and 2024, Ms Ford took time away from her private sector role to work for the ACT Government, leading the Sexual Assault Prevention, Response and Law Reform Program that delivered the groundbreaking Listen. Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Heal Report. The report paved the way for significant reforms in responses to sexual violence in the ACT, including the subsequent Sexual Assault (Police) Review.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from Monash University. Ms Ford’s appointment follows a robust executive search and recruitment process.
Quotes attributable to ACT Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Penelope Mathew:
“Ms Ford is a leading lawyer whose experience spans private practice, work with community legal centres, government and academia. She is eminently qualified to be the new Victims of Crime Commissioner, and I am looking forward to working with her.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Margie Rowe for her tireless and selfless work as acting Commissioner.”
Quotes attributable to incoming ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner, Juliette Ford:
“I am honoured to be appointed the next ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner and will bring all of my experience working at the intersection of individual advocacy and systemic reform to this role promoting the rights of victim-survivors.
“I have worked in the community, government and private sector as a lawyer promoting the rights of victim-survivors. To have the chance to bring what I have learnt to this role with its dual functions as an independent statutory advocate and providing service delivery is an exciting one.
“As the Victims of Crime Commissioner, I look forward to working with all key stakeholders to lead advocacy for victim-survivors, administer statutory schemes and enhance access to justice for all ACT victim-survivors.”
Media:
Bill Bradley 0431 672 181 bill.bradley@act.gov.au
Christine Kearney 0466 861 451 humanrightsmedia@act.gov.au