A Journey Shaped by Resilience and Purpose
- Brian AJ Newman LLB
- Oct 12
- 6 min read
When you meet Brian AJ Newman, LLB, you quickly realise that his life’s work is not simply a career — it’s a calling.
A proud descendant of the Anaiwan (Nganyaywana), Ngarigo (Bemeringal), and Wiradjuri peoples, Brian’s story is one of endurance, transformation, and conviction. His guiding principle — “Play Hard, But Fair” — speaks not only to his professional conduct but to his philosophy on life: a belief that strength without fairness is hollow, and that courage without integrity is incomplete.
Brian’s life has been defined by both adversity and achievement. At just 14 years old, he experienced homelessness, an ordeal that instilled in him the virtues of education, self-discipline, and perseverance. Later in life, after surviving a violent robbery in 2018 that left him with PTSD, he learned to turn trauma into insight — cultivating deep empathy for those living with vulnerability and hardship.
His path from hardship to leadership has shaped a professional career grounded in fairness, service, and moral courage.
Advocacy that Bridges Sectors and Communities
Today, Brian stands as one of Australia’s leading Employment and Human Rights Advocates, working tirelessly across both the private and public sectors to advance equity, justice, and workplace fairness.
As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 1800ADVOCATES™, established in 2020, Brian leads an Indigenous-owned advocacy organisation that has become a voice for everyday Australians navigating the complex terrain of employment, discrimination, and human rights.
His team represents clients before:
The Fair Work Commission and Industrial Relations Tribunals,
State and Federal Human Rights Commissions, and
Medical Review Tribunals and rehabilitation authorities.
Brian’s leadership extends beyond Australia’s borders. In 2016, he was personally endorsed by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu as the preferred representative for Australian Seasonal Workers and their families — a rare recognition of his credibility and ethical advocacy.
Following this endorsement, he travelled deep into Espiritu Santo, northern Vanuatu, to support families affected by workplace deaths within the Australian Seasonal Workers Program (SWP). Working alongside a nationally recognised injury law firm, Brian ensured those families’ voices were heard and their rights protected.
He has also visited the United Nations complex in Geneva, engaging with international human rights bodies and observing how global policy frameworks intersect with domestic workplace justice — reinforcing his belief that advocacy must bridge not only laws but lives.
Ethical Standards and Professional Excellence
In September 2024, Fair Work Commission President Justice Adam Hatcher AM KC delivered a defining statement about paid agents like Brian. In his President’s Statement: Paid Agents and the Fair Work Commission – Publication of Report and Recommendations, Justice Hatcher stated:
“All paid agents appearing before the Commission should conduct themselves in an ethical and honest manner, act in the best interests of the parties they represent, and operate in accordance with standards that are broadly consistent with what would be expected of a lawyer in the same circumstances.”— Justice Adam Hatcher AM KC, Fair Work Commission, 9 September 2024
Brian has lived by this standard for decades — not because it was expected, but because it is the right thing to do. His advocacy is conducted with the professionalism, honesty, and diligence that clients deserve and that institutions demand. He is recognised for his trauma-informed, culturally aware, and ethically uncompromising approach to advocacy.
He also operates Advocacy International, under his personal ABN, offering pro bono advocacy to individuals and families who cannot afford representation. Through this initiative, Brian ensures that justice remains accessible to all — not just the privileged few.
Leadership in Action
Beyond his executive leadership, Brian’s service to the community reflects a profound belief in education and opportunity.
Rotary International Member (former): Supported global humanitarian programs and local leadership initiatives.
PCYC Queensland Volunteer Presenter: Delivered tailored programs to disengaged youth, focusing on employment rights, workplace obligations, and pathways to opportunity.
Logan Youth Justice Network Member: Worked collaboratively to support at-risk youth through rehabilitation and education.
These initiatives demonstrate Brian’s conviction that advocacy must start early — by educating young people about their rights and responsibilities in life and work.
Public and Community Service
Brian’s service extends over three decades, including 29 continuous years as a volunteer in Queensland’s community justice system.
Commissioner for Declarations (1996–2007): Provided statutory witnessing and certification services under the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Act 1991 (Qld).
Justice of the Peace (Qualified) (2007–2025): Served voluntarily for nearly two decades, assisting Queenslanders in accessing lawful documentation and justice processes.
“Public service is not about recognition; it’s about responsibility. Every act of fairness, no matter how small, strengthens the moral foundation of our community.”— Brian AJ Newman, LLB
Education and Qualifications
Brian’s academic and vocational achievements reflect his intellectual rigour and lifelong commitment to learning.
Qualification | Code | Institution | AQF Level |
Master of International Law (In Progress) | 5729 | Griffith University | 9 |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) | 1619 | Griffith University | 7 |
Diploma of Justice Administration | 39184QLD | TAFE Queensland | 5 |
Diploma of Government (Investigations) | PSP51704 | Australian Security Academy Pty Ltd | 5 |
Diploma of Work Health and Safety | BSB51315 | Gold Coast Training College | 5 |
Diploma of Security and Risk Management | CPP50607 | Australian Security Academy Pty Ltd | 5 |
Diploma of Human Resource Management | BSB50615 | Gold Coast Training College | 5 |
Certificate IV in Investigative Services (Former PI Qualification) | CPP40707 | Maurice J. Kerrigan & Associates | 4 |
Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate) | CPP40307 | Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) | 4 |
Certificate IV in Correctional Services (Custodial) | CSC40198 | Queensland Corrective Services Academy | 4 |
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment | TAE40110 | Gold Coast Training College | 4 |
Certificate III in Adult Custodial (CCA Borallon Correctional Centre) | Pre-CSC01 | Corrections Corporation of Australasia | 3 |
Professional and Executive Experience
Chief Executive Officer – 1800ADVOCATES™ Pty Ltd (2020–Present) National leader in employment and human rights advocacy.
Chief Executive Officer – NATSIC-AS (2020–Present) National advocate for Indigenous employment and equality.
Founder – Advocacy International (Pro Bono Division) (2014–Present) Pro bono advocacy under Brian’s personal ABN.
Founder – Ethical Standards Investigations Australia (ESIA) (2006–Present) Specialising in workers’ compensation investigations and ethical workplace reviews.
State Secretary – Queensland Prison Officers Association (QPOA) (2003–2011) Represented correctional staff in workplace safety and disciplinary reform.
Correctional Officer – Queensland Corrective Services (1992–2002) Served in maximum-security environments as CERT Leader and completed Hostage Negotiator training and Control and Restraint Instructor training and qualified in multiple weapons categories, both lethal and non-lethal, such as pressure point control techniques, high-risk extractions, maximum security escort procedures (local, State and Intersate), high risk driver training and use of chemical weapons.
Apprentice Engineer – Ford New Holland and Scania Dealership (1989–1992) Plant Engineering Apprenticeship through TAFE NSW New England.
Memberships and Affiliations
Member – International Labour Organization (ILO)
Financial Member – The Ethics Centre
Chief Executive Officer – 1800ADVOCATES™ Pty Ltd
Chief Executive Officer – NATSIC-AS
Founder – Ethical Standards Investigations Australia (ESIA)
Founder – Advocacy International (Pro Bono Division)
Former State Secretary – Queensland Prison Officers Association
Member – Rotary International (former)
Member – Logan Youth Justice Network (former)
Member – Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Network
Professional Philosophy
Brian’s philosophy is built upon honesty, fairness, and integrity — values he regards as the essential pillars of professional and personal life.
He embodies the standard articulated by Fair Work Commission President Justice Adam Hatcher AM KC, who in his President’s Statement on Paid Agents (9 September 2024), wrote:
“All paid agents appearing before the Commission should conduct themselves in an ethical and honest manner, act in the best interests of the parties they represent, and operate in accordance with standards that are broadly consistent with what would be expected of a lawyer in the same circumstances.”
For Brian, this expectation is not a rule to follow — it is a principle to live by. Whether representing clients before commissions or mentoring emerging advocates, he believes that true professionalism is not defined by a title, but by conduct.
As a single father of several daughters, his commitment to fairness extends beyond the workplace. It informs every aspect of his life — from advocacy and education to community service and parenthood. His life and leadership stand as proof that ethics, empathy, and endurance are the foundation of lasting change.
“I have built my career on a simple truth: that fairness, courage, and honesty are not just values — they are the foundations of public and private service alike. I have lived my motto every day: ‘Play Hard, But Fair.’”— Brian AJ Newman, LLB
References and Citations
Justice Adam Hatcher AM KC, President’s Statement: Paid Agents and the Fair Work Commission – Publication of Report and Recommendations, Fair Work Commission, 9 September 2024. Read Full Statement (PDF)
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