Published Tuesday, 19 August, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine welcomes new Southern Coroner
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has welcomed Magistrate John Hutton to his new position of Coroner at Southport Magistrate Court.
“The Bligh Government is pleased to provide funding for an extra Southern Coroner’s position at Southport, to service the Beenleigh/Gold Coast area,” Mr Shine said.
“In the past, it has sometimes been impractical for the local Magistrates to undertake a particular coronial matter.
“This meant that either the State Coroner travelled to the Gold Coast to conduct a matter, or the witnesses and family members had to travel to Brisbane for the hearing.
“I think everyone would agree that a Coroner based on the Gold Coast is a welcome addition for the local legal profession,” he said.
Local member for Southport Peter Lawlor has been a keen supporter of a specialist Coroner being appointed to the region.
“The appointment of a designated Coroner for the Southport and Beenleigh areas to conduct coronial work in the Southern region is a fantastic addition for the local area,” said Mr Lawlor.
“It means coronial matters in this area will be able to be resolved in a more efficient and effective manner,” he said.
Mr Shine has every confidence that Magistrate Hutton will bring a great deal of compassion and sensitivity developed through his 34 years of legal experience.
“Magistrate Hutton commenced his legal studies at the University of Queensland, after completing Articles of Clerkship, he was admitted as a Solicitor and practised with a number of firms, as well as with the Public Trustee, for seven years,” Mr Shine said
“He then worked as a Crown Prosecutor for four years, and spent another four years in the Crown Law Office, before embarking on a career at the private bar, where he practised for nineteen years.
“One of the notable chapters in his career was his work on the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody enquiry in Rockhampton.
“That would have been an experience that has given him a deep awareness of the tragic effect that the loss of a loved one can bring to family and friends.
Media Contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421 127 869
“The Bligh Government is pleased to provide funding for an extra Southern Coroner’s position at Southport, to service the Beenleigh/Gold Coast area,” Mr Shine said.
“In the past, it has sometimes been impractical for the local Magistrates to undertake a particular coronial matter.
“This meant that either the State Coroner travelled to the Gold Coast to conduct a matter, or the witnesses and family members had to travel to Brisbane for the hearing.
“I think everyone would agree that a Coroner based on the Gold Coast is a welcome addition for the local legal profession,” he said.
Local member for Southport Peter Lawlor has been a keen supporter of a specialist Coroner being appointed to the region.
“The appointment of a designated Coroner for the Southport and Beenleigh areas to conduct coronial work in the Southern region is a fantastic addition for the local area,” said Mr Lawlor.
“It means coronial matters in this area will be able to be resolved in a more efficient and effective manner,” he said.
Mr Shine has every confidence that Magistrate Hutton will bring a great deal of compassion and sensitivity developed through his 34 years of legal experience.
“Magistrate Hutton commenced his legal studies at the University of Queensland, after completing Articles of Clerkship, he was admitted as a Solicitor and practised with a number of firms, as well as with the Public Trustee, for seven years,” Mr Shine said
“He then worked as a Crown Prosecutor for four years, and spent another four years in the Crown Law Office, before embarking on a career at the private bar, where he practised for nineteen years.
“One of the notable chapters in his career was his work on the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody enquiry in Rockhampton.
“That would have been an experience that has given him a deep awareness of the tragic effect that the loss of a loved one can bring to family and friends.
Media Contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421 127 869