The Albanese Government has today announced the appointment of six new judges to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).
The Government congratulates Mrs Kara Best, Ms Celia Conlan, Ms Kathryn Heuer, Ms Sharney Jenkinson, Ms Amy McGowan and Dr James Renwick AM CSC SC on their appointments.
Mrs Best has been appointed to the Brisbane Registry, Ms Conlan and Ms Jenkinson to the Melbourne Registry, Ms Heuer to the Adelaide Registry, Ms McGowan to the Parramatta Registry and Dr Renwick to the Sydney Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2). They will commence on 17 September 2025.
All appointments followed an open call for expressions of interest. Applications were considered by advisory panels comprised of eminent individuals.
The Government thanks each new judge for their willingness to serve the people of Australia.
Mrs Kara Best
Mrs Best was admitted as a Barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2001 and as a Solicitor in 2004 in the Supreme Court of Queensland. In 2004, Mrs Best was admitted as a Legal Practitioner of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory and was entered on the High Court of Australia Register of Practitioners. Mrs Best has been a Senior Judicial Registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia since 2021.
Ms Celia Conlan
Ms Conlan was admitted as a Solicitor and Barrister in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1993 and signed the Bar Roll in Victoria in 1996. Ms Conlan has been a Senior Judicial Registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia since 2021.
Ms Kathryn Heuer
Ms Heuer was admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1989. In the same year, Ms Heuer was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory. Ms Heuer has been a Senior Judicial Registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia since 2020.
Ms Sharney Jenkinson
Ms Jenkinson was admitted as a Legal Practitioner of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2007, and signed the Bar Roll in Queensland in 2011, and later the Victorian Bar Roll in 2013. Ms Jenkinson has been a Senior Judicial Registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia since 2021.
Ms Amy McGowan
Ms McGowan was admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2009. Ms McGowan has been a Senior Judicial Registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia since 2022.
Dr James Renwick AM CSC SC
Dr Renwick was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1985 and signed the Bar Roll in New South Wales in 1996. In 2011, Dr Renwick was appointed Senior Counsel. In 2024, Dr Renwick was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law and to national security.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"I congratulate Mrs Kara Best, Ms Celia Conlan, Ms Kathryn Heuer, Ms Sharney Jenkinson, Ms Amy McGowan and Dr James Renwick AM CSC SC on their appointments and thank them for their willingness to serve the Australian community.
"These appointments will facilitate access to justice for families and add to the capacity of the FCFCOA to deal with migration matters.
"The Government has made these appointments following merit-based processes to ensure that judicial appointments meet the high standards Australians expect."
