New Appointments for April 2017: ICAC, QCA and NT EPA
Monday 24 April 2017 @ 12.14 p.m. | Judiciary, Legal Profession & Procedure | Legal Research
April 2017 has been a busy month across Australia for appointments with a new ICAC Chief Commissioner, new President of the Queensland Court of Appeal and new NT EPA Board member announced.
ICAC Chief Commissioner Announced
On 20 April 2017, the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian announced that the Government is proposing the appointment of former Supreme Court Judge, the Hon. Peter Hall QC, as the inaugural Chief Commissioner of the reconstituted Independent Commission Against Corruption.
The Premier said of the candidate:
"Mr Hall was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1992 and a Judge of the Supreme Court in 2005, where he served for a decade. He has a breadth of experience across Royal and Special Commissions and is the author of the highly regarded ‘Investigating Corruption and Misconduct in Public Office: Commissions of Inquiry Powers and Procedures’."
The announcement follows the passage of legislation in November 2016 which will amend the ICAC Act to deliver a stronger and fairer corruption fighter, with strong powers to investigate, expose and prevent corruption. The proposed appointment is subject to review by the NSW Parliament’s Committee on the ICAC.
Proposed appointments for the other Commissioner and Inspector roles will be announced in due course. The reconstituted ICAC is expected to commence operations as soon as all key appointments are approved.
New President in QLD Court of Appeal
On 6 April 2017, Walter Sofronoff QC was sworn in as the new president of the Court of Appeal in Queensland, according to Lawyers' Weekly.
His Honour was called to the bar in 1977 and took silk in 1988. He served as the solicitor-general of Queensland for nine years, between 2005 and 2014.
Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath described Walter Sofronoff as a most respected legal practitioner:
“This is a significant appointment for Queensland, the second highest position in the state’s justice system...It requires someone with exceptional skills and legal qualifications, who is highly regarded by the entire legal profession...Walter Sofronoff is that person. He has a brilliant legal mind, and a person of exceptional character and integrity.”
His Honour's appointment follows the retirement of Justice Margaret McMurdo AC, who served in the position for near 19 years.
NT EPA New Board Member
Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Lauren Moss announced on 17 April 2017 the appointment of Mr Joe Woodward to the NT EPA Board.
Minister Moss said in a media release:
“We know that good environment policy is good economic policy – our framework will ensure we are protecting, preserving and nurturing the environment while allowing responsible development to proceed with certainty, delivering jobs and economic growth to Territorians.”
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