Inquiry to consider sacking judge Gregory Geason, charged with assault and emotional abuse

Tasmania’s parliament will be recalled to create an inquiry into whether or not a judge charged with assault should be sacked.

Supreme Court judge Gregory Geason. Picture: Sam Rosewarne.

Tasmania’s parliament will be recalled to create an inquiry into whether or not a judge charged with assault should be sacked.

Attorney-General Guy Barnett late on Tuesday said state parliament would be recalled on December 12 to consider legislation to establish a commission of inquiry into Justice Gregory Geason.

The Supreme Court judge has pleaded not guilty to one count of common assault and one count of emotional abuse.

Mr Barnett said maintaining “the integrity and community trust in Tasmania’s justice system” was of “utmost importance”.

The commission of inquiry – equivalent to a royal commission in its powers – would report to parliament “as to whether Justice Geason should, or should not, be suspended or removed from the office of judge”.

“Under the Supreme Court (Judges’ Independence) Act 1857, the governor may only suspend or remove a judge from office on address from both houses of parliament,” Mr Barnett said.

“While parliament is able to inform itself in the manner that it thinks fit, it is important to pass legislation to establish an independent commission of inquiry to inquire into the matter. I have also directed the Department of Justice to prepare a discussion paper on the merits of establishing a judicial review commission in Tasmania, similar to that operating in other jurisdictions.”

This would include options for handling complaints and concerns about the conduct of judicial officers and would be released for public comment early in 2024.

“This will ensure that our state has an appropriate and best-practice model to deal with situations such as this, and I look forward to progressing this work as a matter of priority,” Mr Barnett said.

“Members of parliament have been offered briefings on the proposed bill and we will continue to work closely together to progress this important matter.”

Justice Geason, 62, has been on leave since last month but before charges were laid against him the court flagged he may work on some ­reserved judgments.

He appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court in an after-hours sitting on Friday evening, with proceedings controversially closed to the public and media, prompting widespread criticism and an apology from the court.