Comments on: Victorian Bar Council out of order on acting judges

By: Bill Spence

Bill Spence — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Tell me its not true Hulls, that you have activation clauses on this contracted “judge” and not even a 3 year contract. What exactly do you think independence means? Being able to go to the toilet without asking? Don’t forget that these sorts of changes have a way of coming back and biting the people who started them later, especially when they are voted out of office. Not just a Slippery slope. More like a Monster precedent that would make Stalins mock trials look half decent. Oh by the way, where in your bill of rights, that has no right to compensation per se, are there guarantees for fair trials? Who cares about laws, if there are no rights to real Judges? Forget the Common Law. Its Hulls “no laws” now.

By: Bill Spence

Bill Spence — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I don’t get it Hulls, if the person to be appointed is 62 years old, and has to retire at 70 anyway, why not appoint her for the 8 years if she is so highly qualified as you say? Instead you as the A-G propose that a 3 year trial contract would be better. Now, either it is the money and retirement perks that matter, or it is your control over the person’s career. Either way, you look bad, Hulls. I mean, what are you saying, that this is a win-win, that these Labor appointees benefit more under your contract too? Why bother with Judges, Hull, if they are not free from fear or favor? Why not just toss for heads or tails and cut out the whole charade? That sounds fairer to me than having your proxie deciding matters that you are prosecuting. Jeepers, thank heavens for juries. Or have you decided that only your pals get to sit on them too?

By: Rob O'Neill

Rob O'Neill — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Greg, on that logic, why appoint permanent judges at all? Just give them public service contracts and keep them on while you’re happy with them.

By: Matt Harvey

Matt Harvey — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Ironic to find Greg Barns holding up the British as a model! If we are short of judges, why not appoint proper, permanent ones? Ms Cotterell would be an excellent appointment. The Bar Council may be conservative and look out for its members, but in this case it has sound principle on its side.