Eric Vadarlis has spent most of his legal profession as a prominent corporate litigator.
However, Vadarlis in recent times has also become Australia’s highest-profile human rights lawyer and the most outspoken critic of the Federal government’s treatment of asylum seekers.
Vadarlis rose to prominence in August, 2002, when he and a team of 21 lawyers took action against Phillip Ruddock and the Federal Government in the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of 433 asylum seekers aboard the Tampa.
Vadarlis and his team argued that the government had acted illegally by refusing 433 asylum seekers aboard the Norwegian ship refuge in Australia.
Later the Federal Court ruled that people aboard the Tampa had been illegally detained however,the Federal Government appealed the decision to a Full Bench of the Federal Court and the earlier decision was overturned.
Vadarlis also represented the two children who were turned away by the British Consulate following their escape from Woomera Detention Centre and subsequent plea for asylum in June, 2002.
In December, 2002, Vadarlis gave an oration at the Equal Opportunity Commissions titled “Tampering with Human Rights”.
Vadarlis spoke on the meaning of human rights for ordinary Australians and his experiences as a migrant, motivating him to take the Federal Government to court over its treatment of Tampa asylum.
Vadarlis was was awarded the 2002 Civil Justice Award of the Australian Plaintiff Lawyers Association for his efforts.
He believes government regulatory bodies have failed to protect consumers in the Henry Kaye scandal.
