- Stephen Kenner appointed Senior Commissioner and Toni Walkington appointed Commissioner of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission
- The appointments will take effect on November 26, 2018
Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston has announced Stephen Kenner has been appointed as Senior Commissioner and Toni Walkington has been appointed as Commissioner of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC).
Mr Kenner has been acting in the Senior Commissioner position since June 2016 and has worked with the WAIRC since 1998.
He has a lengthy career in industrial relations having previously worked as a solicitor and partner at Mallesons Stephen Jaques and, prior to 1990, was a senior industrial advocate at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA.
Mr Kenner is appointed as a public service arbitrator and currently constitutes the Road Freight Transport Industry Tribunal and the Occupational Safety and Health Tribunal.
Ms Walkington is the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association WA branch secretary, the vice-president of Unions WA and a member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Executive Committee.
She has more than 26 years of experience in the field of industrial relations and brings specialist knowledge of the public sector.
WAIRC Acting President Jennifer Smith resigned from her role as Senior Commissioner because she was appointed to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in June.
As noted by Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston:
"Mr Kenner and Ms Walkington are eminently qualified for these positions, with long careers in industrial relations.
"I congratulate them both on their appointments, and trust they will enhance the operation of the industrial umpire with their unique backgrounds and experiences.
"The appointments demonstrate the State Government's commitment to ensuring the commission is well resourced to perform its important role in maintaining harmonious industrial relations in Western Australia."
