Shine Announces Appointment of New Magistrates

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine today announced the appointment of two new Magistrates.

“Colin Strofield and Kevin Priestly join the ranks of Queensland’s 89 Magistrates after their appointment by the Governor-in-Council today”, Mr Shine said.

Mr Priestly will be appointed to the newly-created position of Cairns Coroner, and Mr Strofield will be appointed to the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court for the next 10 months, and then will serve for two years in Charleville.

“Mr Priestly will bring to the role of Coroner a wealth of experience in the area of safety law, particularly as it relates to aviation, maritime, workplace, tourism and more recently mining,” Mr Shine said.

“He also has extensive experience in various courts and tribunals, in a number of different jurisdictions. Having most recently worked as a consultant with a legal firm, he has offered a legal risk management consultancy.”

“He practised at the Bar for over 20 years, and has spent the last two years working as a solicitor. Born and bred in Cairns, Mr Priestly will be contributing to the North Queensland legal community, of which he has been an integral part, in a different manner”, Mr Shine said.

Mr Shine also welcomed Mr Strofield’s appointment to the Magistrates’ Court bench.

“Mr Strofield is also an experienced lawyer. Born in Mungindi, he spent his early childhood there, later moving to Katherine in the Northern Territory,” he said.

“After spending a year near Dirranbandi as a jackeroo, he decided he preferred a job indoors, and travelled east to Brisbane where he commenced working at Cannon and Peterson Solicitors whilst studying part-time.”

Mr Strofield has worked within government since that time, first in the Magistrates’ Court service, followed by a period at Crown Law and most recently for the past nine years as the Queensland Police Service Solicitor.




“The Charleville community will welcome Mr Strofield when he takes up his position there early next year”, Mr Shine said.

“He has taken a keen interest in local school and sporting organisations whilst living in Brisbane, and is regularly seen on a Saturday morning refereeing a cricket or rugby game.
I am pleased he will bring those finely-honed skills of judgment to his new role,” said Mr Shine.

Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273