Court appointments

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has announced today the appointment of a new District Court Judge, a new Magistrate and the extension of the appointment of the current President of the Land Court.

Mr Shine said Brisbane barrister Tony Rafter SC has been appointed as a Judge of the District Court. His appointment was approved by Executive Council today and he will be formally sworn in tomorrow.

“Mr Rafter brings valuable experience to the District Court,” Mr Shine said.

“He has served as a Commissioner on the recent Queensland Thoroughbred Racing Commission of Inquiry (Daubney-Rafter Inquiry).”

He was admitted as a barrister in 1985 and he was appointed a Senior Counsel (SC) in 2003.

Mr Rafter has appeared in a number of significant criminal cases before the High Court of Australia.

His expertise is in criminal law in all Courts, particularly appellate cases before the Court of Appeal and High Court, as well as disciplinary proceedings, particularly before the Health Practitioners Tribunal.

Mr Rafter has also served as a Board member of Legal Aid Queensland and chair of the Nursing Tribunal.”

Mr Shine has also announced the appointment of Brian Kilmartin as a new Magistrate. The appointment was approved by Executive Council today.

“Mr Kilmartin will be appointed to the Southport Magistrates Court, one of Queensland’s busiest courts,” Mr Shine said.

Mr Kilmartin has been a partner at Brisbane firm, Sciacca’s Lawyers and Consultants, after joining the firm in 1983.

Mr Kilmartin has served for many years on the Council of the Queensland Law Society and as the Consul for the Republic of Poland in Queensland as well as being a past chairman of the Legal Aid Queensland.

As a lawyer, Mr Kilmartin has been involved in a wide variety matters before the High Court, the Federal Court, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, and the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. Mr Kilmartin will be sworn in tomorrow.

Mr Shine has also announced the term of the President of the Land Court Mr John Trickett would be extended for 14 months from 28 January 2007.

Mr Trickett was appointed a Member of the Land Court in 1992 for a period of 15 years. He was appointed President in 1996.

Prior to his appointment to the Land Court, Mr Trickett served as Valuer-General and Deputy Director-General, Department of Lands.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400