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A-G defends magistrates appointments
The Queensland Attorney-General has hit back at reports that judicial appointment protocols were “dumped” when the government allegedly elected three magistrates who were not included on a shortlist provided by an independent review panel.
Naomi Neilson
Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has defended the state’s judicial appointment policies following reports that her predecessor Yvette D’Ath “ignored” some of the review panel’s recommendations in favour of three “captain’s picks”.
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In a statement, Ms Fentiman said the Queensland government is “committed to an independent judiciary” and supports merit-based appointments.
In 2016, the state government introduced a “robust policy” for judicial appointments, Ms Fentiman added, that made sure every appointment is recommended by a panel of independent professionals from each arm of the legal profession.
“This ensures that all appointees are well respected and qualified members of the legal community,” Ms Fentiman commented. “All appointments are based on merit and I completely reject any suggestion otherwise.”
Lawyers Weekly does not support these news reports and does not suggest that any of the magistrates appointed in 2017 lacked merit.
