I am pleased to announce the appointments of Jane Needham SC and Stephen McDonald SC as Judges of the Federal Court of Australia.
Ms Needham has been appointed to the New South Wales Registry and Mr McDonald has been appointed to the South Australian Registry of the Federal Court of Australia. Ms Needham and Mr McDonald will commence on 5 July 2024 and 8 July 2024 respectively.
I am also pleased to announce the appointment Tuskeen Jacobs as a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).
Ms Jacobs has been appointed to the Brisbane Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), commencing on 8 July 2024.
These appointments have been made following an open call for expressions of interest across Australia. All applications were considered by an advisory panel comprised of eminent individuals.
On behalf of the Australian Government I congratulate Ms Needham, Mr McDonald and Ms Jacobs on their appointments and thank them for their willingness to serve the people of Australia as Judges of the Federal Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) respectively.
Jane Needham SC
Ms Needham graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales in 1986 and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Technology, Sydney, in 1990. Ms Needham was called to the New South Wales Bar in 1990. She was appointed Senior Counsel in 2004.
Stephen McDonald SC
Mr McDonald graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide in 2001 and subsequently completed a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) in 2004 from the University of Adelaide. Mr McDonald was admitted in the Supreme Court of South Australia in 2004 and was called to the South Australian Bar in 2011. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2020.
Tuskeen Jacobs
Ms Jacobs graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1997 and subsequently completed a Bachelor of Laws in 2001, also from James Cook University. Ms Jacobs was admitted in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2002.
