Administrative Appeals Tribunal bolstered
Senator the Honourable Michaelia Cash has announced a number of new appointments, as well as promotions and contract extensions, for the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Deputy president the Honourable Michael Mischin; senior members Joanne Collins, Graham Connolly, Ann Duffield, the Honourable Pru Goward, Dominique Grigg, Katherine Harvey, David James, Wayne Pennell, Karen Vernon; members Lee Benjamin, Cheryl Cartwright, Kate Chapple, David Cosgrave, Tegen Downes, Edward Howard, Peter Katsambanis, Brygyda Maiden, and Peter Papadopoulos are new to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Senator Cash explained the rationale for these appointments: “The workload of the tribunal has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in the migration and refugee division and the national disability insurance scheme division.”
She added: “The government is committed to ensuring the tribunal is well-placed to deal with its increasing caseload, and these appointments will provide the tribunal with more resources to conduct high quality merits review with minimum delay.”
Senator Cash also recently announced a new president of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). This role will be held by the Honourable Justice Fiona Meagher for the next seven years (from 1 April 2022). In order to undertake this role, Justice Meagher has also been confirmed as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia.