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The Crisafulli government has made its first judicial appointments, with a Supreme Court judge elevated to the Queensland Court of Appeal and a District Court judge administrator being appointed to the Supreme Court bench.
Sitting Supreme Court Judge the Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley has been appointed to the Court of Appeal.
His Honour was admitted as a barrister and commenced practice at the private Bar in Brisbane in 2000, before taking silk in late 2013.
The appointment fills the vacancy created by the recent retirement of the Honourable Justice Jean Dalton from the Court of Appeal.
Bradley J is also, the Queensland Attorney-General’s Department noted in a statement, also known for his extensive philanthropic efforts and his previous work in academia at the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology.
Elsewhere, District Court Judge Administrator His Honour Judge Paul Smith AM has been elevated to the Supreme Court of Queensland.
Prior to his judicial appointment, Judge Smith worked as a solicitor and later as a barrister, specialising predominantly in criminal law, and had a distinguished military career, having served since 1980. He was appointed deputy judge advocate general – Army in 2019 and was named a member of the Order of Australia in the military division (AM) in 2024, recognising his exceptional service to the Army.
The appointment follows a longstanding commitment to the law and his exemplary 12 years of service as a judge of the District Court of Queensland since March 2013 and service as the District Court judge administrator since 2014.
Both appointments were effective as of yesterday (31 March 2025).
Speaking about the appointments, Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said: “Both appointees are highly regarded members of the judiciary in Queensland, and I am very pleased to make the Crisafulli government’s first appointments to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
“Justice Bradley not only brings more than six years of experience as a justice of the Supreme Court, he has also been involved in more than 100 hearings of appeals and applications for leave to appeal.
“Judge Smith’s appointment to the Queensland Supreme Court trial division reflects his outstanding legal expertise and exceptional service in both the legal and military spheres. Bringing with him extensive experience as judge administrator of the District Court and an impressive legal background, I am sure His Honour will make a valuable contribution to the Supreme Court.”
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Jerome Doraisamy is the managing editor of Lawyers Weekly and HR Leader. He is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in New South Wales, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
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Jerome Doraisamy
