- The Crisafulli Government has announced the next President of the Court of Appeal, alongside new Supreme Court elevations.
- Eight new Magistrates also appointed across Queensland, delivering faster access to justice.
- Appointments bring extensive legal and judicial experience to the bench and boost capacity of the justice system.
The Crisafulli Government is strengthening Queensland's justice system with the appointment of two new Supreme Court Judges and eight new Magistrates, to boost the capacity of courts across the State and ensure victims' matters can be heard sooner.
Also announced today is the appointment of the Honourable Justice Shane Doyle as the next President of the Court of Appeal, alongside the elevation of two esteemed Judges to the Court of Appeal.
The appointments to the Supreme Court are:
- The Honourable Justice Shane Doyle (President of the Court of Appeal)
- The Honourable Justice Declan Kelly (Judge of Appeal)
- The Honourable Justice Paul Smith AM (Judge of Appeal)
- His Honour Judge Nicholas Andreatidis KC (Supreme Court Trial Division)
- Darlene Skennar KC (Supreme Court Trial Division)
The appointments will fill upcoming vacancies on the Court arising from the appointment of Justice Thomas Bradley as Governor of Queensland from 1 November, and the retirement of Justice Debra Mullins as President of the Court of Appeal on 12 February next year. The two new Trial Division Judges will join the Supreme Court on 12 October this year.
The Crisafulli Government has also delivered eight new Magistrates who will commence in October in court locations across Queensland.
The new Magistrates appointments are:
- Iris Gajic-Pavlica (Brisbane)
- Michael Spearman (Bowen)
- Scott Malcolmson (Caboolture/Caloundra)
- Adam Dwyer (Cairns)
- Elisa Kidston (Brisbane)
- Elizabeth Daniels (Rockhampton)
- Sophie Robertson (Southport)
- Andrew Peel (Townsville)
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington congratulated the Judges and Magistrates on their well-deserved appointments.
"Each appointee is a distinguished and highly skilled legal professional whose experience and expertise will strengthen Queensland's judiciary," the Attorney-General said.
"I am pleased to announce the appointment of the Honourable Justice Shane Doyle as the next President of the Court of Appeal, alongside the elevation of the Honourable Justice Declan Kelly and the Honourable Justice Paul Smith AM as Judges of Appeal.
"Together with the appointment of two new Supreme Court Judges and eight new Magistrates, these appointments will increase the capacity of our courts, help reduce delays and deliver on the Crisafulli Government's commitment to ensure victims of crime can access justice sooner.
"I thank the Judicial Appointments Advisory Panels for their careful consideration and recommendations, and I also thank Justice Debra Mullins and Justice Thomas Bradley for their outstanding service to Queensland on the Supreme Court and their significant contributions to the administration of justice."
