New Chief Magistrate and Magistrate appointed

Queensland’s new Chief Magistrate, Terry Gardiner, will bring a wealth of experience to the role following almost five years as the State’s Deputy Chief Magistrate.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath welcomed the appointment, praising the Deputy Chief Magistrate for his extensive legal experience and dedication to justice for Queenslanders inside and outside the courtroom.

“The Governor approved Deputy Chief Magistrate Gardiner’s elevation to Chief Magistrate today and he will begin in the new role on Monday, July 8,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“As a Deputy Chief Magistrate alongside Deputy Chief Magistrate Leanne O’Shea from 2014 and as a Magistrate based in Southport and Charleville between 2012 and 2014, he has proven he has the legal skills, experience and temperament needed for a Chief Magistrate of a decentralised state such as ours.

“He has a particular interest in Indigenous issues affecting the court and has presided in the Murri Court and has been a chair of the Indigenous Issues Committee. Other important Magistrates Internal Committees he has chaired include the Ethics, Criminal Law, Sentencing Advisory and Cultural Diversity committees.

“Incoming Chief Magistrate Gardiner’s commitment to the community extends outside the courtroom as a foster carer and previously as a volunteer at the St Vincent De Paul Community Hostel and former director of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland and former director and president of Cystic Fibrosis Australia.”

The appointment follows Chief Magistrate Ray Rinaudo moving to the District Court to serve as a District Court Judge.

“Judge Rinaudo has set the bar high since his appointment as Chief Magistrate in 2014,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“The Queensland Magistrates Courts handle about 95% of all criminal matters and the majority of civil matters that go through the court system.

“Judge Rinaudo’s commitment and dedication has ensured fair and efficient justice for Queenslanders, no matter where they live.

“I would also like to sincerely thank His Honour Judge Rinaudo for his commitment to establishing the Domestic and Family Violence specialist courts and the Alcohol and Drug Court and for His Honour’s very important work in modernising court processes in the Magistrates Court.

“I wish him the very best in his future role.”

Mrs D’Ath said today is also an important day for the people of Mount Isa, who will soon gain an experienced legal mind in Trinity McGarvie.

“The Governor today appointed Ms McGarvie to the role of Magistrate and Magistrate McGarvie will be sworn in tomorrow,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“Her Honour will serve for two years in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court.

“Before beginning her own family law practice in Hervey Bay, Ms McGarvie worked as an Articled Clerk and Solicitor at Milburn Guttridge Lawyers, as a solicitor in regional Legal Aid Queensland offices, as a solicitor at Maryborough law firm Suthers Lawyers and as a Senior Associate at Hervey Bay law firm Geldard Sherrington Lawyers.

“Magistrate McGarvie has developed an excellent reputation among numerous magistrates she has appeared before since her graduation from Bond University in 1999 as the top female law graduate.

“Ms McGarvie replaces Magistrate James Morton, who is moving to serve as a Magistrate in the Whitsundays.

“I know that his legal experience and dedication in Mount Isa saw him become a highly-valued and well-respected member of the community and they were disappointed to see him leave.

“I have no doubt that Ms McGarvie will fill Magistrate Morton’s shoes well.”

The Palaszczuk Government has appointed 33 Magistrates, eight Supreme Court judges and 17 District Court judges since the Government was elected in 2015.

ENDS

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