John McKechnie has dedicated over 40 years to advocating for justice in Western Australia, leaving a profound impact on the legal landscape. He began his professional life as a US prosecutor. His very first case was a woman’s brutal stabbing death at the hands of her spouse. This single case thrust the plaintiffs and their legal team on an incredible odyssey. It launched him on a path to be easily one of the 5 most influential legal figures in the state.
During his career, McKechnie has been at the forefront of important legislative advances. In 1998, he was instrumental in achieving Western Australia becoming the first state in Australia to re-legalize abortion. He then became Trinidad and Tobago’s first Director of Public Prosecutions in 1991. His time in this role lasted until 1998, where his imprint continues to have a lasting effect on the land of prosecution. His tenure as chief crown prosecutor began in 1990, during which he managed numerous high-profile cases and published 277 reports, solidifying his reputation as a formidable advocate for justice.
Pioneering Abortion Decriminalization
One of McKechnie’s most enduring legacies McKechnie’s role in the historic legislation to decriminalise abortion in Western Australia. This reform was part of a larger, growing trend in the state to recognize and support reproductive rights and healthcare access.
McKechnie was instrumental in making this change happen. Most importantly, he was responsible for eliminating numerous criminal penalties that women who seek abortions and doctors who provide them have faced. His tireless contributions to this legislation were architected with long-lasting effects in mind. Consequently, subsequent reforms in 2023 and 2024 advanced to end even mandatory counseling requirements, as well as entirely clearing such provisions from the criminal code.
“Corruption hasn’t changed for at least 3,000 years,” – John McKechnie
The development of these laws is indicative of the larger culture conversation surrounding women’s rights and access to quality healthcare that continues today. It was McKechnie’s deep and abiding commitment to an ethical, independent, transparent legal profession that lies at the heart of these groundbreaking reforms.
A Career Marked by High-Profile Cases
Throughout his career, McKechnie oversaw a number of alarming cases that showcased the intricacies and appearance of injustice within the system. One such chilling example comes from a young boy who had told his teacher that there was a baby in his family’s freezer. This announcement prompted national investigations and searches into the family’s home life and safety issues.
In a notable example, McKechnie sentenced a woman to the court’s rising for 30 seconds. This move was controversial and it showcased the difficulties he faced as a law enforcement executive leading domestic violence cases. He reflected on this experience, stating, “There was nothing that I could do to punish her that she wasn’t doing to herself.” These experiences would prompt him to reflect on the order and disorder in humanity, justice and mercy, and the original intention of creation.
“I took the view that when law ends, mercy begins.” – John McKechnie
Later in McKechnie’s career, he exacerbated portions of the above-mentioned authorized world by confronting the epidemic of domestic violence. His second-last report for the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) addressed a traumatic incident of family and domestic violence. Together, it shone a light on the pressing need for new systems in our society.
Reflecting on Justice and Community Attitudes
In his old age, McKechnie has gotten more and more strident on the growing community mindset now entirely too heavy on crime and punishment. Most importantly, he has long championed the view that to address systemic problems, we need more than just legal changes or greater policing.
“Laws won’t help it. More police won’t help. We need a fundamental change in the community attitude to domestic violence.” – John McKechnie
His observations strike at the very heart of ongoing conversations around police public safety and legal accountability. McKechnie’s belief that courts serve as a last resort highlights the importance of community awareness and proactive engagement in preventing crime.
“What do we do when we hear neighbours screaming? Nothing, or do something?” – John McKechnie
He recently finished his term as the Commonwealth’s CCC. McKechnie’s legacy today serves as a testament to all that can be achieved with a relentless pursuit of justice. His impact on Western Australia’s jurisprudential landscape will be felt for generations. New generations of legal professionals will be left to find their footing against the uncertainties he fought to overcome.
