Parole Boards Deputy President retires

Queensland Parole Boards Deputy President Patrick Nunan has retired after five years in the role.

A Director of Toowoomba legal firm Cleary & Lee, Mr Nunan joined the Parole Board in 2003 and was reappointed three years later when the Corrective Services Act 2006 came into effect.

Mr Nunan has also acted as President of the Queensland Parole Boards on several occasions.

A passion for being active in community matters led to Mr Nunan joining the board which considers parole applications from prisoners serving prison terms of more than eight years.

He had previously been involved in several community organisations including the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Southern Inland Queensland Area Consultative Committee, Work for the Dole National Selection Advisory Committee, Toowoomba and Regional Employment and Training Network and Darling Downs Historical Rail Society.

Mr Nunan said he had enjoyed his time on the Parole Boards immensely.

“It has been a pleasure working with dedicated people on the boards and in Queensland Corrective Services,” he said.

“Parole Board members treat each prisoner with respect and carefully consider each application with consideration for public safety.

“I am honoured to have served,” Mr Nunan said.

Acting Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Robert Schwarten said Mr Nunan had demonstrated remarkable dedication to his duties.

“Patrick acted with the greatest of integrity and diligence at all times and his input was always well-informed and considered,” he said.

“He was keenly aware of his responsibility to community safety and made his decisions accordingly.

“He we will be missed and I wish him all the best for the future.”

Queensland Parole Boards President Peter McInnes said Mr Nunan had been a great contributor to parole hearings.

“Patrick has given outstanding service to the public of Queensland,” he said.

“He travelled from Toowoomba three time a month for meetings that lasted up to six hours and required a further six to eight hours of reading to prepare for.

“His commitment could not be questioned and he provided robust input into all decisions.”

Ms Catherine Rees will fill the vacancy created by Mr Nunan’s retirement.

Queensland’s three Parole Boards received 909 new applications in the 2007-08 financial year with parole granted to more than 300 prisoners.

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