The Times Australia
The Times News

.

A legal scholar's take on the Morrison government's appointees

  • Written by The Conversation
a legal scholar's take on the Morrison government's appointees

The Morrison government has made its first appointments to the High Court. In doing so it has gone for continuity, both in terms of geography and gender.

The news Justices Jacqueline Gleeson and Simon Steward will be Australia’s next High Court judges[1] follows months of speculation.

With the upcoming retirements of Justices Virginia Bell[2] and Geoffrey Nettle[3] — as they reach the constitutionally prescribed retirement age of 70 — two vacancies had opened up on the High Court bench.

Read more: Two High Court of Australia judges will be named soon – unlike Amy Coney Barrett, we know nothing about them[4]

Although it might be true that many Australians outside of the legal profession do not know who their judges are, as Bell observed[5] in 2017, this lack of celebrity status certainly does not diminish the significance of these appointments.

As the highest court[6] in Australia’s judicial hierarchy, the High Court makes decisions with the potential to shape the nation[7], including challenges to the constitutional validity[8] of laws.

Who are the new judges?

Steward[9], 51, is from Melbourne and will join the court in December to replace Nettle (who is also a Victorian). He was appointed to the Federal Court in 2018, with speciality areas in tax and administrative law.

New High Court appointee, Jacqueline Gleeson. New High Court appointee, Jacqueline Gleeson.

Gleeson[10], 54, is from Sydney, and will join the court in March 2021 to replace Bell (who is also from NSW). She was appointed to the Federal Court in 2014, with Attorney-General Christian Porter noting her “diverse legal career at the bar and as a solicitor”.

As Porter also pointed out, Gleeson’s appointment represents a first in the common law[11] world, as she is the daughter of former High Court Chief Justice, Murray Gleeson.

Announcing the news in Canberra on Wednesday, Porter said cabinet was “incredibly confident” Gleeson and Steward would,

make very useful additions to the High Court bench, they are outstanding judges, they have been outstanding barristers, they are outstanding members of the legal and broader Australian community.

Both names floated beforehand

These appointees were not entirely unexpected.

Both new judges names’ were floated as possible contenders. However, it is fair to say Steward’s name appeared more frequently, perhaps bolstered by his conservative credentials[12] as a so called “black-letter[13]” lawyer, who has a more literal interpretation of the law.

Gleeson is not a huge surprise either, given her wide-ranging background[14], with expertise in administrative law, competition and consumer law, professional liability and tax law.

The government has, as predicted[15] gone for a like-for-like appointment both in terms of gender and state of origin. This means three out of the seven justices are women.

a legal scholar's take on the Morrison government's appointees New High Court appointee, Simon Steward.

The assumption the new judges would be from NSW and Victoria gives us some insight into the significance of the state balance (and the taken-for-granted dominance of Sydney and Melbourne). This dominance has not been without debate. For example, the fact that no South Australian has ever been appointed to the court has been the subject of increasing criticism[16].

Until now, the gender dynamics on the High Court have been carefully crafted. No woman had ever replaced another woman — lest anyone get the idea there are seats reserved for women. Moreover, decision-makers have usually been insistent[17] gender is not taken into account (while “merit” is).

Perhaps one surprise is that both new justices have been appointed from the Federal Court. It was assumed with Bell’s retirement at least one of the new judges would be an expert in criminal law (and be appointed from a state Supreme Court).

It means the High Court will be dominated by former Federal Court judges, with all justices other than Stephen Gageler[18] elevated from the Federal Court.

What does this mean for the High Court?

None of this means appointment decisions are devoid of political dimensions — either about the specific composition of the court, or about a particular appointee’s views about the Commonwealth’s legislative power.

As constitutional law expert Professor Anne Twomey remarked[19] in 2007:

A government may appoint a judge for a range of reasons, including adding some form of balance to the Court (state, sex or expertise in a particular area of law in which the Court is lacking) or because a judge is the leading jurist of their generation, or simply because a person is an uncontroversial compromise when views are polarised in relation to other candidates.

Inevitably, questions will be raised about what kind of judges the new appointees will be.

They join a court, where Chief Justice Susan Kiefel[20] has promoted a collegial approach[21] to judgment writing. Will Steward and Gleeson embrace this culture?

The appointment of the sixth woman (and the 49th man) suggests some inroads have been made to ensuring the court reflects the society from which it is drawn. But more can be done.

Yet, with no formal recognition of the importance of diversity in appointments, or any transparency in terms of the process[22] of appointment, any progress remains at the whim of the government of the day.

Read more: No selection criteria, no transparency. Australia must reform the way it appoints judges[23]

For Gleeson and Steward, their appointments represent a significant personal achievement. What impact they will have on the High Court remains to be seen, but there is no doubt they have the capacity to shape the court’s decisions into the future.

Given their respective ages, they will certainly have time to make their mark.

References

  1. ^ next High Court judges (www.abc.net.au)
  2. ^ Virginia Bell (www.hcourt.gov.au)
  3. ^ Geoffrey Nettle (www.hcourt.gov.au)
  4. ^ Two High Court of Australia judges will be named soon – unlike Amy Coney Barrett, we know nothing about them (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ Bell observed (cdn.hcourt.gov.au)
  6. ^ highest court (www.hcourt.gov.au)
  7. ^ shape the nation (aiatsis.gov.au)
  8. ^ constitutional validity (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ Steward (www.fedcourt.gov.au)
  10. ^ Gleeson (www.fedcourt.gov.au)
  11. ^ common law (queenslandlawhandbook.org.au)
  12. ^ conservative credentials (www.afr.com)
  13. ^ black-letter (www.smh.com.au)
  14. ^ wide-ranging background (www.lawyersweekly.com.au)
  15. ^ predicted (www.afr.com)
  16. ^ increasing criticism (www.adelaidenow.com.au)
  17. ^ insistent (journals.sagepub.com)
  18. ^ Stephen Gageler (www.hcourt.gov.au)
  19. ^ remarked (classic.austlii.edu.au)
  20. ^ Chief Justice Susan Kiefel (www.hcourt.gov.au)
  21. ^ collegial approach (www.unswlawjournal.unsw.edu.au)
  22. ^ terms of the process (journals.sagepub.com)
  23. ^ No selection criteria, no transparency. Australia must reform the way it appoints judges (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/meet-australias-new-high-court-judges-a-legal-scholars-take-on-the-morrison-governments-appointees-148982

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...