Shine announces new Magistrates
Published Thursday, 05 February, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine announced three new appointments to Queensland’s Magistrates Court had been approved by Executive Council today.
Mr Shine said the new Magistrates were to be appointed to courts in Ipswich, Rockhampton and Southport.
The new appointments are:
• Brisbane-based barrister Virginia Sturgess (Ipswich)
• Rockhampton-based barrister John McGrath (Rockhampton)
• Southport-based barrister, Kerry Magee (Southport).
Magistrates Sturgess, McGrath and Magee’s swearing-in will be held in Brisbane next week and their appointments are effective from tomorrow.
“These appointments follow recent retirements from the Magistracy," Mr Shine said
"The work of the Magistrates Court is integral to justice administration in Queensland as it hears more than 95 per cent of criminal matters coming before the State’s courts.
“The number of matters coming before Queensland’s Magistrates Courts continues to increase.
“In 2007-08, Queensland Magistrates Courts achieved a clearance rate of 99.5 per cent, which is a significant achievement.”
"The Bligh Government’s $2.4 million initiative to trial judicial registrars to alleviate the pressure placed on the Magistrates Court, has resulted in almost 14,000 matters being finalised,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine said the Bligh Government’s Toward Q2 strategy was delivering increased Magistrate numbers to ensure the ongoing finalisation of matters.
“We have created five new Magistrates’ positions in the last four years.”
“These new Magistrates will be welcomed by the communities they serve, not only for their contribution to the justice system, but also for their out-of-court work, which often goes unheralded but is worthy of recognition,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact Lisa Taylor 32396400 or 0488 741 689.
Mr Shine said the new Magistrates were to be appointed to courts in Ipswich, Rockhampton and Southport.
The new appointments are:
• Brisbane-based barrister Virginia Sturgess (Ipswich)
• Rockhampton-based barrister John McGrath (Rockhampton)
• Southport-based barrister, Kerry Magee (Southport).
Magistrates Sturgess, McGrath and Magee’s swearing-in will be held in Brisbane next week and their appointments are effective from tomorrow.
“These appointments follow recent retirements from the Magistracy," Mr Shine said
"The work of the Magistrates Court is integral to justice administration in Queensland as it hears more than 95 per cent of criminal matters coming before the State’s courts.
“The number of matters coming before Queensland’s Magistrates Courts continues to increase.
“In 2007-08, Queensland Magistrates Courts achieved a clearance rate of 99.5 per cent, which is a significant achievement.”
"The Bligh Government’s $2.4 million initiative to trial judicial registrars to alleviate the pressure placed on the Magistrates Court, has resulted in almost 14,000 matters being finalised,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine said the Bligh Government’s Toward Q2 strategy was delivering increased Magistrate numbers to ensure the ongoing finalisation of matters.
“We have created five new Magistrates’ positions in the last four years.”
“These new Magistrates will be welcomed by the communities they serve, not only for their contribution to the justice system, but also for their out-of-court work, which often goes unheralded but is worthy of recognition,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact Lisa Taylor 32396400 or 0488 741 689.