In light of recent news reports, Queensland Law Society has restated its long-standing call for the establishment of an independent judicial commission.
QLS President Kara Thomson said today that a strong and independent judiciary was essential to preserve public confidence in the administration of justice and the promotion of the separation of powers.
“Maintaining the integrity of the judicial system, and of government and public institutions, requires scrutiny and oversight by a dedicated independent body,” Ms Thomson said. “An independent judicial commission will enhance the openness, transparency and independence of the judicial system.”
She said its role would include examining complaints against judicial officers, including delays in delivering judgments and inappropriate or unreasonable conduct directed towards persons appearing before the officer.
An independent judicial commission would also advise government on improving the efficiency of the administration of justice, provide professional development for judicial officers based upon advisory guidelines setting out acceptable standards of judicial conduct, and much more.
For more information on QLS recommendations for a judicial commission, see its 2022 Federal Election Call to Parties Statement and 2020 State Election Call to Parties.
See also A-G confirms commitment to judicial commission and Judicial impartiality in a changing world (federal), as well as A Judicial Commission for Queensland?
One Response
Looking forward to the QLS’ call for commission of inquiry into the indiscriminate, heavy handed, and secretive actions of the executive branch of the state government with respect to the fear-driven Wuhan virus responses.
Surely none of us forget the discriminatory vaccine mandates and exclusion of those who chose not to inject themselves with big pharma cocktails? Surely we don’t forget how, overnight, the government asserted it was able to lock people in their houses, only to be allowed out for specific purposes? How about the shutting down of some businesses (small) but not others (big)? Who could forget the government’s sneaky refusal to share the “health advice” that all of these authoritarian measures were supposedly based on? Who could forget the government’s heartless refusal to allow Queenslanders to come back across the border to be with their families and get medical treatment for their children? Who could forget the laughably named and extravagantly wasteful “Wellcamp” facility?
Where was QLS through all of that? We all remember. Cowering and MIA.