LOCAL PEOPLE: Patrick O’connor

by James Marten

Principal lawyer and CEO of the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service, Patrick works to reunite families separated by conflict and supporting victim-survivors of family violence on temporary visas.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Sassafras in the Dandenong rangers, about an hour and a half out of Melbourne and now live in Hobart.

What do you do for work? I work as the Principal Lawyer and CEO of the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service (TRLS). The TRLS is a not-for-profit organisation established to provide free immigration-related legal services to refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other humanitarian entrants in the Tasmanian community.

You completed a Churchill Fellowship focused on the positive impacts of family reunification. How does that play out in the daily work you do? Many of the clients we work with in Tasmania have been separated from family members overseas for many years, and they often talk to us of the joy of being able to reunite with family members in Tasmania, and the positive impact this has on their lives and the sense of belonging this brings to each family member and the connection to their new home. It can be very challenging to bring families together because of many legal and policy obstacles in place, however it is so rewarding when we are successful in family reunion cases, as we understand the impact the outcome has on our clients’ lives.

Is this a particularly busy time for you with ongoing conflicts happening around the world, or is the work fairly steady always? The work is always constant, however definitely does increase with conflicts around the world, and we are often the first place people call in Tasmania when a conflict breaks out and people have loved ones affected overseas, or they have a fear of persecution if they are forced to return to their home country.

You also have a family violence migration service supporting women on temporary visas impacted by family violence. Tell us about that. We set up a specific program for victim survivors of family violence, where the violence has impacted the victim survivors visa status. The program is a specialist service in the space of family violence and immigration law, providing hundreds of victim survivors with free legal advice and representation in Tasmania with regard to their migration status and future safety in Australia. The program has become a key part of the state’s response to family violence for victims of family violence who are on temporary visas, from the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community. Prior to establishing the program there was no free legal service in Tasmania delivering immigration advice and representation to victim survivors of family violence on temporary visas. The service was established to address incidences of visa abuse, when the victim survivor’s temporary migrant status is used by a perpetrator to control or coerce them or their family member. For example, a person on a temporary partner visa may face deportation if they leave the relationship. Such visa abuse facilitates and enables family violence as it effectively traps the victim survivor within the relationship due to their uncertain visa status, the program is run by one of our great lawyers and it is key part of our service for the community.

What is one take away you would like our readers to know about the people you assist? The people we assist love Tasmania, and contribute so much to our community. Many of our clients face insurmountable odds just to survive and live in Tasmania, and then be reunited with family members. The law can be a vehicle for social change, and the impact that government policies and laws can have on an individual’s life is ever lasting. We know access to legal representation can make such a difference and is life changing for our clients and their families.

What’s something you wish more people knew about what you do? I wish people knew more about the barriers in place for people seeking asylum and humanitarian entrants in Australia, and the resilience that all our clients show to overcome so many obstacles in their life – just to live a life that is free, and open to opportunities.

Who do you admire? Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur.

Favourite podcast or tv show? Foreign Correspondent.

What are you reading now? Journey by Moonlight by Antal Szerb

What was your first job? Working at a pub.

What are your daily news/social media habits? Reading The Guardian and listening to The Rest is Politics podcast.

Your favourite place for…

Breakfast: Sunbear.

Lunch: Bumi.

Dinner: Sawak.

Dream holiday destination? Anywhere in the Balkans.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? The walk between Seven Mile Beach and Roches Beach, and all the beautiful beaches all over Tasmania.

Parting words? Working as a humanitarian lawyer is one of the most rewarding careers. I love coming to work each day, working with my colleagues who care so much for the community.

Love this

Extras

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces- June 2026

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces – May 2026

Bits and Pieces- May 2026

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

Worker shortage is currently universal, there isn’t an industry that’s exempt. For Kelvin Smith, four years ago he decided there was a very obvious solution to the shortage facing the construction industry, and all that was needed was a little time, empathy and a helping hand. Integrate Workforce is a Hobart-based labour company with one requirement: a refugee/ migrant background. He’s also the outdoor piano man in his free time.

Landscape artist and creative Elliott Nimmo is enjoying discovering Hobart’s vibrant art scene and local environment after relocating here from London to pursue his art.

Even though Tasmania is known for its mild summers, it doesn’t take much to get sunburnt. Tasmania experiences extreme ultraviolet (UV) levels, but contrary to popular belief this isn’t due to the hole in the ozone layer, which is actually south of the continent.While higher UV levels often occur at the same time as higher temperatures, the two are not linked. Instead, UV levels are determined by the angle of the sun in the sky: the higher the sun, the higher the UV. In December and January, the position of the sun over Tasmania gives the state a UV index of 11 or more on most days, which is classified as “extreme” on the UV index. Tasmania’s lack of humidity and generally clear skies contribute to the stinging feeling of the sun. UV can reflect off buildings and water, making it possible to get a higher dose of UV from these reflected rays, even in the shade.

Setting up shop during a pandemic was a risky move, but if the crowd at Dāna Eating House (Dāna) on a Friday night is anything to go by, it’s one that’s paid off. With tables of diners chatting and laughing over drinks, the music and conversation buzzes off the monstera-leaf-green walls. Low-hanging rattan lights and worn wooden floorboards give the newly opened South-East Asian fusion venue in Hobart’s CBD a relaxed vibe.

A Holyman flagged ship hasn’t steamed up the River Derwent since 1984 but the company’s name still proudly adorns its former offices at 5 Morrison Street, Hobart.

Widening the Tasman Bridge to allow 3.5 metres on each side is a big win for walkers and cyclists.

Need a laugh? Check out @theinspiredunemployed feed on Instagram.

Rain, hail and shine, the school crossing guards are always there to help with a smile on their face.

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Just when you think your cousins are alright. NZ Opposition Leader Judith Collins took aim at Tassie during her recent (unsuccessful) campaign, calling us Australia’s “poor cousin.” She also seems worried about us nabbing tech businesses, “It’s a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high- tech business? Possibly not,” she said. We beg to differ!