Tim Carmody’s chief justice elevation denounced by Queensland judge
A Queensland court of appeal judge has become the first sitting justice to criticise Tim Carmody’s appointment as the state’s next chief justice, calling on him to withdraw.
Justice John Muir is the latest senior legal figure to attack attorney general Jarrod Bleijie’s controversial promotion of the state’s chief magistrate, saying it was “a matter which has the potential to adversely affect the working of the supreme court”.
Muir said Carmody’s elevation could also “weaken public confidence in the administration of justice and impact adversely on the willingness of parties, who have the freedom of choice in the matter, to litigate in Queensland state courts”.
“I would hope that because of the unfortunate way in which this saga has unfolded, the obvious lack of support for the chief magistrate’s elevation to the office of chief justice of Queensland … the chief magistrate will see that the only appropriate course is for him to withdraw,” Muir told a North Queensland Bar Association dinner in Townsville on Wednesday night.
Critics believe Carmody is too close to the Campbell Newman government and that the state’s legal establishment was not consulted properly about the appointment.
Meanwhile, Queensland barrister Tony Morris QC is revealed to have written a letter saying he was incapable of attending a Queensland Bar Association conference where Tim Carmody would be present.
“I feel quite incapable of representing the Bar Association with the level of civility owed to the holder of that high office,” his leaked letter dated 12 June said.
On Wednesday, he said a lot of legal opposition to Carmody was “sour grapes”.
Asked about that letter and his ABC Radio interview on Wednesday backing Carmody, Morris said his personal dislike of him did not mean he didn’t think he would be a capable chief justice.
“At a personal level, he’s not someone I’ve got a lot of time for,” he said.
“I did not comment on Judge Carmody’s suitability for his appointment, I didn’t describe him as a friend – I said he was capable of doing the job … and I have not changed on that position.”
Morris said that while he had high regard for Muir, he regarded his latest comments as unhelpful.
Deputy chief magistrate Ray Rinaudo has meanwhile been named as Carmody’s replacement as chief magistrate.
Retired supreme court justice Jim Thomas, former solicitor general Walter Sofronoff QC and former supreme court judge Richard Chesterman QC have slammed Carmody’s appointment.
Peter Davis QC quit as head of the Queensland Bar Association last week, after confidential discussions he had had with Bleijie’s former chief of staff, Ryan Haddrick, were leaked.
Source: theguardian
