Winston Terracini helps Opera Australia boss brother avoid conviction

One of Sydney’s top criminal defence barristers has helped his older brother avoid a conviction after his sibling was charged with a driving offence.

One of Sydney’s top criminal defence barristers has helped his older brother avoid a conviction after his sibling was charged with a driving offence while on a good behaviour licence.

Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini, 71, of Redfern, elected to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to not entering a roundabout on the left and leaving less than halfway.

Terracini’s younger brother is veteran defence barrister Winston Terracini, SC, who has previously defended high profile clients including child killer Keli Lane and Harriet Wran, the daughter of former NSW Premier Neville.

Lyndon and Winston Terracini outside the Downing Centre today. Picture: John Grainger

Lyndon Terracini outside court. Picture: John Grainger

Court documents state the Opera Australia boss turned left while in a roundabout on the Mitchell Highway in Bathurst last year when he should have continued straight or turned right as per the arrows’ directions in his lane.

Terracini‘s younger brother, who was in court to support him, wrote a reference for his sibling in which he pointed out the offence occurred at a heightened time of stress due to the impact COVID-19 was having on the entertainment industry, the court heard.

However, magistrate Carolyn Huntsman wasn’t impressed to learn Terracini was on a good behaviour licence when he was pulled over in Bathurst.

“How could he have been so foolish when he’s on a good behaviour licence?” the magistrate asked.

The court was told Terracini’s driving record contained previous speeding offences.

In NSW, if a driver receives a notice of a suspension of their licence due to excessive demerit points they can apply to elect a 12-month good behaviour period.

Ms Huntsman said she accepted what Terracini’s brother had said in his reference that it was a time of “incredible stress” and noted the impact COVID-19 was having on artists.

Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini.

The court heard the loss of his licence would impact Terracini’s work because there was a requirement in his contract with Opera Australia that he be available to work in other locations such as regional NSW and interstate.

Terracini also would need his licence to renovate a property in Orange where he and his wife plan to retire, the court heard.

Ms Huntsman sentenced Terracini to a 12-month conditional release order without a conviction.

“You should have just gone through the roundabout and come back, especially when you’re on a good behaviour licence, that’s my worry … the point of the good behaviour licence is to uphold the demerit licence system,” she said.

“Well, I‘m going to extend you some leniency, maybe I’m being weakly lenient with you, it will be a conditional release order.”