The Queensland government has begun a review into the process for appointing judges.
The Palaszczuk Government has finally announced progress on the review into judge picking protocol with a discussion paper released this week.
The review follows the controversial appointment of former chief justice Tim Carmody, who resigned just under a year after taking up the top job back in June.
“This review should not be seen as a poor reflection on the existing process, but rather as a consolidation of this government's practice, and a step towards a more transparent and accountable judicial appointments framework for this state,” Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said.
D’Ath appointed Catherine Holmes to the role of chief justice last month.
According to the Brisbane Times, the paper, which will be published on will seek opinions from the public and other stakeholders on the skills and qualities needed in a judge, appointment strategies and how candidates should be assessed.
“The paper outlines the current regime for judicial appointments to the Supreme, District and Magistrates courts in Queensland, and also sets out the legislation, policies and procedures for judicial appointments in the other Australian jurisdictions, as well as in England and Wales,” said D’Ath.
“The discussion paper asks whether there should be a formal, and publicly available, procedure for judicial appointments in Queensland; the form such a policy or procedure should take; and the elements of that procedure."
The review follows the controversial appointment of former chief justice Tim Carmody, who resigned just under a year after taking up the top job back in June.
“This review should not be seen as a poor reflection on the existing process, but rather as a consolidation of this government's practice, and a step towards a more transparent and accountable judicial appointments framework for this state,” Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said.
D’Ath appointed Catherine Holmes to the role of chief justice last month.
According to the Brisbane Times, the paper, which will be published on will seek opinions from the public and other stakeholders on the skills and qualities needed in a judge, appointment strategies and how candidates should be assessed.
“The paper outlines the current regime for judicial appointments to the Supreme, District and Magistrates courts in Queensland, and also sets out the legislation, policies and procedures for judicial appointments in the other Australian jurisdictions, as well as in England and Wales,” said D’Ath.
“The discussion paper asks whether there should be a formal, and publicly available, procedure for judicial appointments in Queensland; the form such a policy or procedure should take; and the elements of that procedure."
