Queensland will seek more High Court appointments

The State Government will seek the appointment of further Queenslanders to fill future vacancies on the High Court of Australia.

Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine said the State Government welcomed the High Court appointment of former Brisbane barrister and Queensland judge, Justice Susan Kiefel, announced last week.

“I have written to Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock to thank him for Justice Kiefel’s appointment and for taking Queensland’s recommendations so seriously,” Mr Shine said.

“I have also advised the Federal Government that I will be seeking Queensland replacements for future vacancies on the High Court.”

“There is a precedent for more than one Queenslander to sit on the High Court. Between 1981 and 1987, Queensland boasted two Justices of the High Court – then Chief Justice Gibbs and Justice Sir Gerard Brennan.”

Under legislation (High Court of Australia Act 1979), the Federal Attorney-General must consult State Attorneys-General on the appointment of new Justices.

Mr Shine said Justice Kiefel’s appointment would maintain Queensland’s representation on the High Court. Justice Kiefel, who is to be sworn-in early next month, will replace retiring Justice Ian Callinan.

“Justice Kiefel will be only the seventh Queenslander to be appointed to the High Court, and the first Queensland woman to be appointed,” Mr Shine said.

“In 1987, Justice Kiefel became the first Queensland woman to be appointed Queen’s Counsel. Justice Kiefel was appointed to the Queensland Supreme Court in 1993 before her appointment to the Federal Court in 1994.”

23 August 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au