Labor is continuing to back Victoria's courts to keep cases moving, criminals accountable and Victorians safe.
The Attorney-General today announced the appointment of the Honourable Justice Rowena Orr as the new President of the Court of Appeal.
We thank the outgoing President, the Honourable Justice Karin Emerton, who made history in 2022 as the first female President in the Court's history.
Justice Orr is one of Australia's most highly regarded jurists and has been a judge of the Court of Appeal since 2024.
She has served as Victoria's Solicitor-General - a role in which she appeared in appeals courts across Australia - and brings more than two decades of experience as a barrister across a broad practice.
Justice Orr was elevated to Senior Counsel in 2014 and played a senior role in two of Australia's most significant Royal Commissions- into Misconduct in the Banking Industry, and into Family Violence.
Justice Orr will bring strong leadership to the Court of Appeal and continue to ensure cases are heard fairly, efficiently and without delay by the Court's highly experienced criminal and civil jurists.
The appointment is part of Labor's $240 million investment in stronger courts.
The Government is making sure our justice system has the people and resources it needs to hold criminals accountable and keep Victorians safe.
Since April, Labor has also appointed eight County Court Judges, a Deputy Chief Magistrate, 13 Magistrates, two Supreme Court Judges, and a Coroner.
Justice Orr will commence her role as President of the Court of Appeal on 29 September 2026.
Jess Wilson's Liberal-One Nation Coalition is promising $40 billion in cuts.
That means one thing: cuts to the police and courts that are holding criminals to account.
Only Labor will fight for working people and invest in their safety.
As stated by Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny
"Congratulations to the Honourable Justice Rowena Orr on her appointment and I look forward to seeing her lead the Court of Appeal."
"We thank the outgoing President, the Honourable Justice Karin Emerton, who made history in 2022 as the first female President in the Court's history."
