First Aboriginal resident judge appointed to the ACT Supreme Court

Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury has announced the appointment of long-time Canberra resident and ACT magistrate Louise Taylor as the first Aboriginal resident judge of the ACT Supreme Court.

Rattenbury underscored the historical significance of this appointment.

"As a proud Kamilaroi woman, [Taylor’s] appointment also marks a significant and important milestone – it is the first time in the Supreme Court's history that an Aboriginal woman will hold such a prestigious position in the ACT," Rattenbury said.

Taylor has served on the ACT Magistrates Court since 2018 and has spent the last five years handling complex civil and criminal law matters. She also served as deputy chief executive officer of ACT Legal Aid and worked with the ACT and Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

Taylor has been involved in significant cases in the ACT, such as the David Eastman inquiry. She also served as chair of the ACT Women's Legal Centre board for ten years. She specialises in criminal law, including family violence.

Rattenbury emphasised that Taylor is committed to fairness, impartiality, and open-mindedness.

"Magistrate Taylor brings to the Supreme Court a wealth of knowledge and expertise, having represented the most vulnerable members of our community in complex matters", he said.

Chief Justice Lucy McCallum warmly welcomed magistrate Taylor to the Supreme Court, expressing confidence in her ability to uphold the rule of law and contribute to the delivery of justice in the community. McCallum emphasised that the ACT Supreme Court is committed to fostering an inclusive and representative judiciary that reflects the diversity of the community it serves.

Taylor's appointment brings the number of resident Supreme Court judges in the ACT to six.