Justice Kerri Mellifont appointed QCAT president

Former Queensland Woman Lawyer of the Year, Justice Kerri Mellifont QC, has been appointed as the new Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) president.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Shannon Fentiman, said Justice Mellifont was most deserving of the role.

“Justice Mellifont has 27 years’ experience in criminal and regulatory law, including more than five years at the Public Defender’s Office, similar time at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, and almost two decades at the private bar,” Minister Fentiman said.

“Her Honour is eminently qualified to perform her new duties, which include overseeing the efficient operation of the Tribunal, maintaining a positive and cohesive culture, and hearing significant matters herself.

“QCAT helps Queenslanders resolve disputes in a way that is fair, accessible, quick and inexpensive and plays a key role in providing justice services in our State’s legal system.”

QCAT celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, having been created from the merger of 18 different tribunals, and since then it has finalised more than 300,000 matters under more than 170 different Acts and regulations.

Justice Mellifont commenced as a Judge of the Supreme Court on 4 October 2021.

Her Honour starts in the role of QCAT president next month, replacing Justice Martin Daubney, who has led the Tribunal for the last four years.

“Justice Dabney’s exemplary service to the judiciary and community earned a Member of the Order of Australia and I again thank his Honour for his outstanding contribution to QCAT and to our courts in general,” Minister Fentiman said.

ENDS

Media Contact: Inga Williams 0439 949 719