Rheinberger hopes Chief Magistrate appointment will inspire other women

TASMANIA’S first female Chief Magistrate hopes her appointment inspires other women to seek out high judicial office.

New Chief Magistrate Catherine Rheinberger

Tasmania’s first female Chief Magistrate hopes her appointment inspires other women to seek out high judicial office.

In a “historic” appointment, Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin will today announce Catherine Rheinberger is to head Tasmania’s busiest court.

The 25-year veteran of Tasmania’s legal fraternity said she was “overwhelmed” and “honoured” at the decision in which she will replace former Chief Magistrate Michael Brett, who joined the Supreme Court this year.

“I think it shows women are being considered for these types of positions,” she said. “I think it will go a long way towards inspiring other young women that these roles are going to be available to them.”

Ms Rheinberger, who has been a magistrate for more than six years, will tackle court processes “as far as matters proceeding in a more expeditious way” and domestic violence.

“Obviously a lot of work has been done in the family violence area. I’d like to look at whether things could be done differently. I don’t have a firm view about that at the moment, but it’s one of the areas I’ll be looking into,” she said.

Acutely aware of the tough financial environment the court has been operating under, Ms Rheinberger said she looked “forward to working to ensure that we are properly resourced so that we can deliver”.

After completing her law degree, Ms Rheinberger worked as a judge’s associate where she became convinced a legal career was for her.

She went on to be senior Crown counsel with the Director of Public Prosecutions before becoming a magistrate in 2009.

During her time on the bench, she has served as a magistrate on the Youth Justice Court and the Court Mandated Drug Diversion Program.

Dr Goodwin said Ms Rheinberger was “eminently qualified for the position”.

Dr Goodwin thanked Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly who has been acting in the role since July.

Originally published as Rheinberger hopes Chief Magistrate appointment will inspire other women