New ICAC boss named as Emma Townsend, three new magistrates appointed for Adelaide, SA
The state’s top anti-corruption agency will be led by a former Adelaide prosecutor – as three lawyers are appointed to senior judicial roles.
Police & Courts
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Former prosecutors have been appointed as South Australia’s new magistrates and as the state’s ICAC head, amid a surge of former lawyers – and not judges – taking up anti-corruption roles.
SA’s new independent Commissioner Against Corruption will be Emma Townsend, the first director of the Office for Public Integrity.
The OPI was created in 2021 under controversial changes that ultimately led to the resignation of then-ICAC head Ann Vanstone KC.
In an appointment that’s raised eyebrows, Ms Townsend is the first SA ICAC who is not a former judge.
Ms Vanstone quit four years into her seven-year term in an astonishing smackdown, saying the changes to ICAC legislation significantly reduced its powers and gagged the organisation.
The OPI is a public scrutiny office that assesses complaints about public administration or reports of corruption or misconduct and refers them on to the Ombudsman SA, the ICAC or Judicial Conduct Commissioner. It also oversees complaints about police.
Ms Townsend was a public prosecutor for 18 years, has held other roles within the Attorney-General’s Department and with commercial law firm Thomson Playford.
Among her DPP responsibilities, she established the Vulnerable Witness Team, which manages the prosecution of child sexual abuse cases and matters involving vulnerable victims and witnesses.
Ms Townsend starts as commissioner in February. Attorney-General Kyam Maher said her appointment comes as a majority of anti-corruption commissions across the country are being led by people who are not former judges.
He said she would be paid the same as her predecessors, both former judges, and after her term ended would receive the judicial pension usually reserved for former judges, which is about 60 per cent of their salary. New legislation is required to enable the change.
“Ms Townsend has discharged the functions of the (OPI) with independence and great skill, and ensured smooth management of the way our integrity bodies deal with complaints,” Mr Maher said.
“She has significant experience in complex investigations and strong understanding on the way our anti-corruption laws our enforced.”
Meanwhile, three of Adelaide’s leading lawyers have been appointed to the Magistrates Court.
Patrick Hill, Elizabeth Ferris and John Clover are set to begin their terms with the court next month, filling vacancies left by the resignation of Brett Dixon earlier in the year, and upcoming retirements of Kim Millard and David McLeod.
Mr Hill is currently a private barrister who has 13 years experience in the DPP and as a defence lawyer with both the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement and the Legal Services Commission.
Ms Ferris is a senior Crown solicitor with an extensive background in criminal law, including with the DPP and as private defence lawyer.
Mr Clover has 12 years experience as a Commonwealth prosecutor and senior federal prosecutor.
All three will take up their positions on January 20.
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