Julian Burnside’s 30 unpaid interns

Greens candidate has received assistance despite his party’s opposition to unpaid positions.

Kooyong Greens candidate Julian Burnside. Picture: AAP

Human rights lawyer and Greens candidate Julian Burnside has ­received help from more than 30 unpaid interns in recent years, ­despite his party’s opposition to unpaid internships.

The wealthy barrister, who has a $20 million property portfolio, said the interns had only ever worked for him on pro bono human rights cases and he had in no way profited from their efforts.

His use of interns has emerged as he stands for the Greens in Josh Frydenberg’s inner-eastern Melbourne seat of Kooyong.

Employment networking site LinkedIn shows more than 30 people have listed internships with Mr Burnside on their CVs, with a further six saying they are currently interning with him.

As a barrister, Mr Burnside cannot legally employ other lawyers.

He said he had over the years mentored “a number of students, all of whom have requested an ­opportunity to volunteer on pro bono human rights cases”.

“I in no way profit from their effort,” he said.

“From time to time, they volunteer in my office where I try to teach them about the operation of the legal system generally and human rights in particular. This has proven to be a beneficial ­experience for the students before they enter the profession.”

The Australian Greens’ policy on interns requires that they be recognised “as workers”, with “fair workplace conditions”.

The NSW Greens further call for employers to recognise interns “as workers and institute fair payment for work undertaken on the course of an internship, including those undertaken as part of a prac or tertiary study”.

While the Treasurer holds Kooyong with a 12.8 per cent margin, he is facing competition from Mr Burnside, independent Oliver Yates and Labor candidate Jana Stewart, all of whom are exchanging preferences and receiving ­help from activist group GetUp.