Why did you want to do an internship at the McCabe Centre?
My interest in the intersection of law and health initially developed through my experience working within the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Austin Hospital.
It was during that time that I witnessed firsthand how administrative and systemic factors directly affect vulnerable patients’ access to care. These observations were reinforced through my work in personal injury law, where I assisted clients navigating illness, recovery and financial uncertainty. Together, these opportunities influenced my perspective on utilising the law as a tool to address broader structural issues, rather than being confined to resolving individual disputes.
Consequently, the McCabe Centre’s focus on using law as a mechanism to improve outcomes for cancer patients resonated with my own values. I was eager to contribute to meaningful work on legal frameworks that impact access to care and learn more about areas for reform.
What kind of things did you do during your internship?
During my internship, I was fortunate to work on a broad range of research and policy-oriented tasks, examining the legal and financial challenges faced by individuals affected by cancer.
An eye-opening task I undertook involved reviewing determinations made by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). These disputes concerned issues arising from insurance, debt and financial hardship experienced by individuals with cancer. I prepared case summaries and identified recurring issues, including pre-existing condition exclusions and alarming gaps in financial protections. Through this work, it became apparent to what extent individual legal disputes reflect broader systemic problems and patterns of disadvantage.
I also conducted legal research into employment and discrimination protections across regulatory bodies, including the Fair Work Commission and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), contributing to comparative work on leave entitlements and the current legislative shortcomings. In this context, the nature of work involved engaging critically with the law beyond its straightforward application, which contrasted with the primarily doctrinal focus of my university studies and work in private practice.
Additionally, I feel incredibly privileged to have witnessed the preparation and attended the first in-person Advanced Workshop on Law and Tobacco Control hosted by the McCabe Centre team since COVID-19.
The workshop convened lawyers, policymakers, public health experts and civil society leaders from over 20 countries to facilitate discussions regarding the advancement of effective tobacco control through the law. The collaboration between the individuals present was inspiring and indicative of how legal frameworks in varying jurisdictions can influence public health outcomes on a global scale.
What was the most interesting or surprising thing you learned?
One of the most interesting things I learned was the extent to which public health challenges are fundamentally legal challenges. Both the research I embarked on and my attendance at the tobacco control workshop were a testament to how legislative frameworks can operate as tools for systemic reform and prevention.
As aforementioned, a particularly valuable aspect of the workshop was the opportunity to observe the collaboration between experts from varying jurisdictions. Although legal systems differ significantly, many of the underlying public health issues are universal, necessitating coordinated and proactive legislative responses. It was compelling to witness leaders from different countries exchange strategies in an effort to strengthen tobacco control frameworks globally.
I also benefited from exposure to policy issues and regulatory approaches I had not previously contemplated. A memorable example, discussed at the workshop, was the Maldives’ tobacco free generation law, which was enacted in November 2025. Under the reform, any individual born on or after 1 January 2007 will be legally prohibited from purchasing or selling tobacco. Innovative approaches such as this exemplify how law and policy can regulate existing harm while simultaneously enacting long-term cultural change.
What do you hope to do in the future?
In the future, I endeavour to employ my legal skills in a field that engages with both complex regulatory and policy issues. My experience at the McCabe Centre reinforced my interest in addressing systemic issues through roles combining legal analysis and policy development, whether that eventuates in government or private practice.
How do you think an internship will help you with your future study/work paths?
My internship at the McCabe Centre has undoubtedly strengthened my ability to synthesise complex information, identify patterns and compare approaches across jurisdictions. I have also enhanced my ability to discern the relevance of materials and apply them appropriately to different contexts, in this case the needs and circumstances of individuals with cancer.
Moreover, my time within the team has broadened my understanding of legal practice by delineating the role of a solicitor beyond the realm of private practice. Overall, this internship has deepened my appreciation of the structural factors that impact access to justice and provided a strong foundation for my future career.