International Law

Joint Media Release

Prime Minister
Hon Kevin Rudd MP

Attorney-General
Hon Robert McClelland MP

10 February 2010

The Australian Government is pleased to announce the appointment of the Honourable Patrick Keane as Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.

Justice Keane will begin his appointment on Monday 22 March 2010. His Honour will be the third Chief Justice appointed to the Federal Court since its inception, and the first from Queensland.

Justice Keane is currently a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Queensland, an office he has held with distinction since 2005. Prior to taking up judicial appointment, Justice Keane was Solicitor-General for Queensland. Between 1990 and 1992, Justice Keane was Deputy Chairman of the Queensland Law Reform Commission. He practised at the Queensland Bar between 1978 and 2005, principally in commercial and constitutional matters. Justice Keane was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1988 and in 2003 was awarded the Centenary Medal.

Consistent with a commitment to a more transparent and merit-based judicial appointments process the Government has undertaken extensive consultation to ensure the selection of the best possible candidate. The Government sought the views of a wide range of individuals and organisations, including State and Territory Attorneys-General, Chief Justices from across Australia, and the legal profession through the relevant professional associations.

The Government is grateful to all those who put forward nominations, which greatly assisted in the consideration of this appointment.

The Honourable Chief Justice Michael Black AC will retire on 21 March 2010, following 19 years of exemplary service to Australia as Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.

The Government thanks the Chief Justice for the valued and enduring contribution he has made to Australia's justice system.