First judge appointed by Palaszczuk a commercial lawyer

THE Palaszczuk government has chosen an experienced commercial litigator as its first Supreme Court judge.

THE Palaszczuk government has chosen an experienced commercial litigator as its first Supreme Court judge.

Barrister John Bond QC was confirmed yesterday as the new Queensland government’s first judicial appointment, replacing judge Alan Wilson who will resign at 65 next week.

As foreshadowed by The Australian online, Labor has chosen a senior commercial barrister, selected carefully to avoid the accusations of politicking that dogged the Newman government’s appointment of Tim Carmody as chief justice last year.

Brisbane-based Mr Bond is a highly regarded and experienced commercial specialist who was called to the bar in 1987 and took silk in 1999. His practice is entirely in commercial litigation. He spent nine years on the Queensland Law Reform Commission and served as an associate to High Court judge Gerard Brennan in 1985.

Analysis by The Australian shows Mr Bond may be one of only two Supreme Court judges the Palaszczuk government will be able to appoint in this term of government. Only one Supreme Court judge reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 before the next election is due to be called. Seven District Court judges will reach retirement age in that time.

The Newman government, appointed seven Supreme Court judges, including Justice Carmody, and seven District Court judges in its short tenure.

Justice Carmody, a former Family Court judge, was promoted from Chief Magistrate to the state’s top judicial office despite protests by judges, barristers and solicitors.

However, he has removed himself from the court calendar; he is not sitting this month, instead spending time on administration, writing judgments, attending meetings, and conducting functions as the state’s Acting Governor.

One legal source said the move was “extraordinary” and unprecedented. Justice Carmody will not reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 until 2026.

District Court judge Hugh Botting, appointed by then National Party premier Mike Ahern, is believed to be next to turn 70, in June.