The state’s newest coroner spent more than two decades practising as a barrister, both in Australia and overseas. Before that, Mr Bracken served with Victoria Police for 16 years.

Mr Bracken also served as a magistrate in Nauru from June 2014 to April 2015, when he was appointed to the position by the Government of Nauru four years ago.

“Mr Bracken has shown outstanding dedication and respect for the law throughout his career and will bring a range of skills to his new role,” Attorney-General Martin Pakula said.

“He will make a valuable contribution to the Coroners Court of Victoria and I congratulate him on his new appointment.”

According to a statement released by the Attorney-General last month, Mr Bracken has made a number of appearances before the Coroners Court and the 2009 Bushfire Royal Commission.

As a barrister, Mr Bracken regularly appeared as a prosecutor for the Director of Public Prosecutions before the Supreme and County Courts. He has also appeared before the Racing Appeals Tribunal, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, and the Mental Health Tribunal.

“In 2013, he was appointed as a sessional Deputy Public Interest Monitor, helping to safeguard and defend the public interest when agencies apply for covert and coercive investigative powers,” the statement said.

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“He also appeared in the groundbreaking litigation case related to the Longford gas plant explosion in Gippsland in 1998 on behalf of those killed and injured in the disaster.”

During his time in the police force, Mr Bracken investigated serious crimes in a range of roles, including time as a Homicide Squad detective. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Deakin University.