New Appointments For ADF Military Court

New ADF Appointments For Australian Military Court

Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Bruce Billson today announced three important military justice appointments that will further enhance the impartiality and fairness of the Australian military justice system.

In response to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report on ‘The effectiveness of Australia's military justice system', the Australian Government agreed to establish the Australian Military Court consisting of a Chief Military Judge, two permanent military judges, and up to eight part time military judges.

"The statutory appointment of the Chief Military Judge and military judges by the Governor-General will enhance the independence of the Australian Military Court, a significant change to the military justice system," Mr Billson said.

"The Chief Military Judge was selected through an independent merit selection process which considered attributes such as experience, professional knowledge, expertise and personal qualities. Applicants came from qualified Permanent and Reserve ADF legal officers or any other person who satisfied the statutory selection criteria."

The new Australian Military Court will deal with the same offences as the current Courts Martial and Defence Force Magistrates trials, however it reports to Parliament, not the chain of command.

Mr Billson said the Minister for Defence had nominated Brigadier Ian Westwood, AM to be appointed as the first Chief Military Judge by the Governor-General.

"Brigadier Westwood will hold the Chief Military Judge appointment for a term of 10 years on a salary set by the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal," Mr Billson said.

Brigadier Westwood has 24 years' military law experience gained through full-time Army service. He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1978. Prior to his appointment as Chief Military Judge, Brigadier Westwood held the statutory appointment of Chief Judge Advocate and performed duty as a Judge Advocate and Defence Force Magistrate.

The other two appointments are those of the two permanent military judges.

"Military judges will possess personal qualities such as integrity, fairness, maturity, sound temperament and a commitment to military justice," Mr Billson said.

"They will also demonstrate intellectual and analytical skills, sound judgment, decisiveness and the capacity to command authority. This will be supported by the ability to communicate fairly, effectively and courteously with all court users."

Mr Billson said that the Minister for Defence had nominated Colonel Peter Morrison and Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer Woodward to be appointment as the permanent military judges by the Governor- General for a term of 10 years.

Colonel Morrison has extensive legal experience spanning over 26 years, combining a mix of both private and military practice. He is currently a Judge Advocate and Defence Force Magistrate.

Lieutenant Colonel Woodward has been a senior prosecutor for the ACT and a commercial litigation practitioner and was prior to her appointment as a military judge, the Director of Advisings, General Counsel Branch with the Department of Defence. She also spent seven years as a permanent legal officer in the Australian Army.

Mr Billson said these appointments would help ensure a fair and impartial military justice system for the Australian Military Court.

"I congratulate Brigadier Westwood, Colonel Morrison and Lieutenant Colonel Woodward on being selected for these important positions which will become effective from 1 October 2007," Mr Billson said.

ENDS

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