Court Appointments
In early 2008, the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, introduced new processes for appointing judges and magistrates to federal courts which aim to ensure:
- greater transparency and public confidence in the judicial appointments process
- that all appointments are based on merit, and
- that everyone who has the qualities for appointment as a judge or magistrate is fairly and properly considered.
For the Federal Court and Federal Magistrates Court and Family Court these processes include:
- broad consultation to identify persons who are suitable for appointment
- notices in national and regional media seeking expressions of interest and nominations
- notification of appointment criteria, and
- appoints advisory panels to assess expressions of interest and nominations against the appointment criteria and to develop a shortlist of highly suitable candidates.
Current opportunities for appointment
The Government proposes to appoint a Federal Court judge to be based in Perth.
- For more information on the proposed appointment please see: Appointment to the Federal Court of Australia.
The Government proposes to appoint a Federal Magistrate to be based in Cairns.
- For more information on the proposed appointment please see: Appointment to the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia.
The Government proposes to appoint a Family Court Judge to be based in Newcastle.
- For more information on the proposed appointment please see: Appointment to the Family Court of Australia