Ray Plibersek appointed as acting Local Court judge

The brother of federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek has received an unusual gift for Christmas – an elevation to the bench of the Local Court.

Ray Plibersek has been appointed as an acting judge of the NSW Local Court.

The brother of federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek has received an unusual gift for Christmas – an elevation to the Local Court bench.

On December 16, the Personal Injury Commission announced lawyer Ray Plibersek’s appointment as a weekend and bail court magistrate.

Mr Plibersek is a Motor Accidents Division member of the Personal Injury Commission.

“Congratulations are due for Motor Accidents Division Member Ray Plibersek, (who) has recently been advised of his appointment as acting judge of the Local Court of NSW,” the commission’s newsletter stated.

“This will involve sitting on weekends so Ray will remain to perform his work for the Commission.

“Well done and good luck Ray!”

Tanya Plibersek. Picture: Ray Strange

Mr Plibersek was observed presiding over the western Sydney custody matters at Parramatta Bail Court on December 23.

Ray Plibersek (right) with fellow Labor council candidates Michael Forshaw and Barry Collier in 2016.

The older brother to Ms Plibersek was previously the internal ombudsman at Sutherland Shire Council, and served as a Labor councillor from 2016 until 2021 when he resigned to take up the Personal Injury Commission position.

“I will miss working with my councillor colleagues and council staff, and I will also miss working for the community of Sutherland Shire which it has my privilege to serve,” Mr Plibersek said at the time.

Mr Plibersek’s appointment as an acting judge comes on the tail of multiple new magisterial appointments for 2025.

Earlier in December, Attorney-General Michael Daley announced one of the largest appointments of judicial officers in NSW history, with 11 new full-time magistrates to join the Local Court from next year.

NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The new appointments include police prosecutors, barristers with the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and senior solicitors from the public and private sectors.

Five of the roles are new, while six will take up positions vacated by magistrates appointed to other jurisdictions, retiring magistrates, or those converting to part-time positions.

It will bring the total number of magistrates to 159, including 26 in the Children’s and Coroner’s Courts.

“The Local Court is the backbone of the NSW justice system, with magistrates responsible for more than 90 per cent of judicial decisions in the state, including increasingly complex cases,” Mr Daley said.

“These individuals bring a wide range of legal expertise and will be invaluable to the Court and everyone who interacts with it.”

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Originally published as Ray Plibersek appointed as acting Local Court judge