Olney's career to date includes time spent as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 1988 and 2003, a judge of the Family Court of Australia from 1988 to 1991 and a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia from 1982 until 1988.

Notably, in 2005 he was made a member of the Order of Australia for service to the law and the judiciary, particularly in relation to indigenous land issues.

"[Olney] has considerable experience working with the Tribunal and I welcome his reappointment," Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said.

"He has been a part-time deputy president of the Tribunal since 15 June 2005 and was a presidential member of the Tribunal from 1988 until 2003. [Olney] is also the Aboriginal land commissioner in the Northern Territory, and an acting judge of the Northern Territory Supreme Court."

From 1991 to 2001, Olney was a deputy president of the Federal Police Disciplinary Tribunal, along with serving as a deputy president of the National Native Title Tribunal from 1994 to 1999. He was also a member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia between 1980 and 1982.

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Having graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia, Olney was admitted as a barrister and solicitor to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 1957. He was later appointed Queen's Counsel in 1980.

The AAT was established to provide an independent review of a range of administrative decisions made by the Australian Government.