Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath has welcomed four new additions to the State’s judiciary, including a Deputy Chief Magistrate and three Magistrates.
The Attorney joined Queensland’s legal profession today at a welcome ceremony at the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
“All magistrates play a vital role in the administration of justice in Queensland and I congratulate our four newest judicial officers,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“Deputy Chief Magistrate Janelle Brassington takes up the post after 14 years’ experience as a magistrate, serving mostly in Far North Queensland.
“Her Honour is rightly held in the highest regard by her colleagues and the profession, and has excelled as the Regional Co-ordinating Magistrate in Cairns, and presided over thousands of matters in a distinguished career.
“She began her working career as a student nurse and then registered nurse, before undertaking studies in law while still working.
“Her Honour spent the better part of a decade at the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions (ODPP), working her way through a variety of roles.
“She also spent four years at the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, working as Principal Legal Officer within the Strategic Policy Unit.
“Her Honour returned to the ODPP as Project Director and Acting Executive Director, and was then appointed as a Magistrate in 2005.”
Three other legal professionals have also started their journeys as magistrates.
“Magistrate Rosemary Gilbert who has been appointed to Brisbane was one of the first female appointees to the role of clerk within the old Public Defender’s Office.
“She was employed by Legal Aid Queensland in 1990 and has continued to build an impressive career.
“Magistrate Cameron McKenzie starts his time as a magistrate at Southport after being a partner at a number of major law firms over the past decade.
“His litigation experience spans more than a quarter of a century, and he also has longstanding experience in mediation and conflict resolution.
“Magistrate Robert Walker has been appointed to Emerald after acting as a Magistrate and Judicial Registrar since April 2015.
“Previously he was the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management, the Director of the Coroner’s Court of Queensland, a lawyer within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Assistant Director with the Crime and Misconduct Commission.”
