Judicial Appointments

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:32): Supplementary: noting that important role, does this include looking beyond the social stratas that currently exist, and other areas of people not being represented, including disability sectors and others that have been named?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:33): Absolutely. I know this government generally thinks that having all aspects of society—those who represent us in parliament, those who preside over other elements, including our judiciary—representing the people that they serve is an important goal to have. In our superior courts, in the District Court and Supreme Court, I think at the start of this year we achieved gender equality for the first time in the state's history; that is, if I am remembering correctly, at the start of the year an equal number of men and women appointed judges of our District Court and Supreme Court.

There is a long way to go to make sure that our judiciary represents the diversity of the state of South Australia, those that preside over civil and criminal matters, but certainly in terms of men and women on the court, I think achieving that is something that we ought to celebrate in South Australia. Similarly, I think we ought to celebrate the appointment of Aboriginal magistrates in South Australia, and I very much look forward to Aboriginal Supreme Court and District Court judges in the future.