- Four new members appointed to the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, bolstering its expertise in criminal law and giving victims of crime a greater say on sentencing matters.
- New appointees have impressive backgrounds in criminal law, victim advocacy and support, to QSAC.
- Retired longest serving District Court Judge Kerry O'Brien AM to join council as new Chair.
The Crisafulli Government has appointed four new members to the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council.
Retired Chief Judge of the District Court of Queensland Kerry O'Brien AM has been announced as the council's next Chair.
As a highly respected former member of the Queensland judiciary, Mr O'Brien will bring more than five decades of legal and courtroom experience to the Council.
He is the longest-serving judge of the District Court since it was reconstituted in 1958, serving more than three decades on the bench.
An additional three new members have been appointed, broadening the Council's expertise across criminal law, and giving victims of crime a greater say on sentencing issues:
- Scott Lynch has worked in the criminal jurisdiction since 1988 and was called to the Bar in 1997. He has been involved in many high-profile criminal cases and handles complicated matters for legal aid clients as a member of the Legal Aid Queensland Complex Case Barrister Panel.
- Danielle Carroll is Managing Director of the Kelly Wilkinson Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation she established in honour of her late sister, providing long-term financial support to child victims of domestic and family violence homicide.
- Natalie Merlehan is a victim representative, heavily involved with Voice for Victims and has experience in criminology. She is also passionate about justice system reform in Queensland.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington congratulated the appointees on their new positions with the Council.
"The Council brings together legal experts, community advocates, and victims of crime to provide advice to Government and support greater understanding of sentencing in the community," the Attorney-General said.
"With their broad experience and diverse expertise, I am confident these appointees will provide valuable perspectives on the Council and important input on sentencing issues.
"I would like to acknowledge and thank outgoing Chair the Honourable Ann Lyons AM and the other outgoing members of the Council for their service."
The Council has 14 independent members and provides research and advice, seeks public views, and promotes community understanding of sentencing matters.
Each of the new QSAC members has been appointed for a three-year term.
