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Trio of federal bench appointments

user iconLawyers Weekly 15 September 2006 SME Law

ONE FEDERAL Court judge and two federal magistrates were recently appointed to the bench as part of the government’s workplace relations reforms, according to Attorney-General Philip…

ONE FEDERAL Court judge and two federal magistrates were recently appointed to the bench as part of the government’s workplace relations reforms, according to Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

Robert Buchanan QC took up his position as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia last Friday and will be based in Sydney.

“[Buchanan] has extensive experience at the Bar, practising primarily in the areas of employment and industrial law,” Ruddock said.

Having practised as a barrister in Sydney since 1975, Buchanan was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1988. He has experience in federal and state courts and tribunals, as well as in the High Court.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce [Buchanan’s] appointment and I wish him all the very best for his future with the Federal Court,” Ruddock said. “I am sure his contributions will be greatly valued.”

Adrian Dangerfield and Frank Turner were also appointed as federal magistrates.

“[Dangerfield] and [Turner] bring to their new positions a combined wealth of experience and considerable expertise in industrial relations,” Ruddock said.

Dangerfield is experienced in the areas of industrial relations, industry and commerce, and public administration. Until his appointments recently expired, he was a commissioner of the Industrial Relations Commission of South Australia and of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. He was also previously a member of the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal, and a qualified mediator. To be based in Adelaide, Dangerfield will assume his new role on 25 September.

New fellow federal magistrate Turner has predominately practised at the Victorian Bar since 1975, specialising in industrial law, in which he has 39 years’ experience, as well as workplace relations law and discrimination matters. Turner has appeared in proceedings before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, the Federal Court, State Industrial Relations Commissions and the Supreme Court of Victoria. He will take up his appointment on 3 October and will be based in Sydney.

“I congratulate [Dangerfield] and [Turner] on their appointments to the Federal Magistrates Court and take great pleasure in wishing them every success in their new positions,” Ruddock said.

Buchanan is the fourth of four additional judges appointed to the Federal Court, and Dangerfield and Turner among the six additional federal magistrates, said to be appointed as part of the government’s workplace relations reforms.

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