Federal Government needs to prevent family law delays in Tasmania

Attorney-General George Brandis needs to move swiftly to replace Federal Circuit Court Judge Stuart Roberts, who hears cases in Launceston and Burnie and who will retire in June, Australian Greens spokesperson for legal affairs Nick McKim says.

“The Federal Circuit Court handles the bulk of family law cases, so any failure to immediately replace Judge Roberts will mean longer delays which will have serious repercussions for northern Tasmanian families in crisis,” Senator McKim said.

“I have written to the Attorney-General to ask for the timeframe of a new appointment, and to urge him to appoint a new judge to commence as soon as Judge Roberts retires.”

“Unfortunately, Senator Brandis has a track record of delaying such appointments in other states, which has caused a massive backlog of family law cases.”

“Justice delayed is justice denied, and often family law cases have a high degree of urgency due to the need to make decisions on things like custody of children.”

“The requirement for judges to retire at the age of 72 is well known; therefore Judge Roberts’ exit should not come as a surprise to Senator Brandis.”
Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim