New Judge Administrator appointed

His Honour Judge Michael Burnett AM has been appointed as Judge Administrator of the District Court of Queensland and starts in the role today. 

Judge Burnett succeeds Justice Paul Smith, following his recent elevation to the Supreme Court on 31 March 2025. 

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said Judge Burnett was held in the highest esteem and well suited for the role. 

“Judge Burnett has served with distinction on the District Court, and previously as a barrister, mediator and Judge of the Federal Circuit Court,” the Attorney-General said. 

“His Honour’s military background also makes him well suited to managing the lists of the Court. I know this appointment is warmly received by his peers.” 

In 2014, Judge Burnett was appointed to the District Court of Queensland and the Children’s Court of Queensland and assigned as the resident judge in Rockhampton. 

Before his judicial appointments, His Honour held roles as a member of the Queensland Building Tribunal, graded arbitrator with the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia and registered as a Building and Construction Industry Payments Act adjudicator.  

Judge Burnett was appointed Deputy Judge Advocate General – Air Force in 2010, holds the rank of Air Commodore and was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to military law.  

His Honour’s service to the Australian Defence Force stretches back to his first commission as a legal officer in 1985.