LABOR WELCOMES JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

Labor welcomes the appointment of Chief Judge John Pascoe AC CVO as Chief Justice of the Family Court, and Will Alstergren QC as Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court.

 

Chief Judge Pascoe has overseen the Federal Circuit Court since 2004 and has lengthy experience overseeing a busy court system. The court which he has headed does the bulk of family law work in Australia, something which will stand him in good stead in his new role.

 

Mr Alstergren has served in several leadership roles prior to his appointment to the Federal Circuit Court, including President of the Australian Bar Association and Chair of the Victorian Bar. This experience will be an asset to him as Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court.

 

Thanks of course must also go to Diana Bryant, who has served as Chief Justice of the Family Court for more than 10 years. In that period she has dealt with a system close to crisis, and advocated fiercely for the best interests of those in the court system.

 

Labor hopes Attorney-General George Brandis will move swiftly to address these issues, and to ensure stability for the Family Court system. This is particularly pressing, given the statutory retirement of Chief Judge Pascoe in a year’s time.

 

Labor calls on Attorney-General George Brandis to be upfront in any plans he has to change the structure of the Family Court. All Australians deserve to know his plans.