Crisafulli Government delivers faster access to justice with new judicial appointments

• New funding from MYFER has boosted investment in the justice system with an additional Judge being added to both the Supreme and District Courts.
• The Crisafulli Government has also appointed two new District Court Judges and three new Magistrates, as it delivers on its commitment for faster access to justice for victims of crime. Judge Dearne Firth and Glen Cranny have been appointed as judges of the District Court of Queensland.
• Stephen Kissick, Nicholas Brown and Rhianna Lee have been appointed to the Magistrates Court, filling positions in Southport and Mt Isa.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to deliver faster justice, with a $2.4 million annual investment to fund two additional Judges and support staff for the Supreme and District Courts.

This welcome funding in the Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review ensures victims’ cases can be heard sooner.

The new funding injection comes as the government appoints two new District Court Judges and three Magistrates. Judge Dearne Firth and Mr Glen Cranny will commence as judges of the District Court in February, while Mr Stephen Kissick, Mr Nicholas Brown, and Ms Rhianna Lee will commence as Magistrates from next month.

Judge Firth was appointed a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in 2021 after more than a decade at the Queensland Bar.

Her Honour is highly regarded for her depth of knowledge and experience in family law, child protection, domestic violence, regulatory prosecutions and criminal law – and is also a nationally accredited mediator and arbitrator.

Judge Firth is also set to take on additional responsibilities as Deputy President of QCAT at the end of Judge Dann’s term in February.

Glen Cranny has specialised in criminal law for three decades and is recognised nationally by Doyle’s Guide as a pre-eminent criminal defence lawyer.

His expertise includes white collar crime, sexual and violent offences, and corporate and regulatory investigations.

Mr Cranny has received many accolades from the Queensland Law Society throughout his career, also serving on and chairing its Criminal Law Committees. He has contributed to law and policy reform on the Queensland Law Reform Commission, and has also served on the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting.

Stephen Kissick brings a wealth of experience with his work in criminal practice at the private bar, spanning multiple jurisdictions and more than 500 jury trials.

Mr Kissick is regularly briefed as a panel member for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Queensland, and previously served for 10 years as a police prosecutor.

Nicholas Brown also brings to the bench extensive experience in criminal law after appearing in a wide range of complex matters including sexual offences, large-scale drug trafficking, and domestic and family violence.

Before being called to the Bar in 2018, Mr Brown worked as a solicitor, advocating for clients in the Magistrates, District, Childrens, and Supreme Courts.

Rhianna Lee has served the court as an Acting Magistrate in Townsville, Mount Isa, and circuit courts in North West Queensland since May 2024, serving with distinction and demonstrating impressive legal acumen.

Prior to her appointment, Ms Lee was the Principal Lawyer of Townsville Legal Aid Queensland, having been admitted in 2010, and brings immense legal experience to the bench.

Mr Kissick and Mr Brown will commence as magistrates at Southport, while Ms Lee will serve the court in Mt Isa.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington congratulated the new Judges and Magistrates on their well-deserved appointments.   

“Queensland is fortunate to have a vast wealth of legal talent to draw from for its judicial ranks and these new appointments are a fine example of that,” the Attorney-General said.

“Each appointee is a distinguished, highly skilled practitioner, and together their skills and knowledge will strengthen Queensland’s judiciary.

“I am also pleased to be continuing to deliver on the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to ensure faster access to justice, by boosting the capacity of our courts.

“An additionally funded District Court and Supreme Court Judge will have a big impact on those courts, allowing victims’ cases to be heard sooner."

The new Supreme Court appointment is expected to be announced early next year.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:  Claudia Stevenson 0435 155 490