The Federal Court of Australia has welcomed eight new appointments, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the judicial system’s efficiency and inclusivity.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC announced the appointments, highlighting their “significance in addressing migration backlogs and advancing justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities”.
Among the appointees is Professor James Stellios, a distinguished constitutional law expert, whose appointment to the New South Wales Registry will begin on December 19, 2024.
Prof Stellios’s Greek heritage adds to the diverse representation in the Federal Court, a point of pride for the Greek Australian community.
The other appointees are, Justice Samuel Vandongen, joining the Western Australian Registry (December 17, 2024), Cameron Moore SC, Nicholas Owens SC, Houda Younan SC, also joining the New South Wales Registry, Elizabeth Bennett SC, joining the Victorian Registry (December 20, 2024),
Erin Longbottom KC and Amelia Wheatley KC, both joining the Queensland Registry.
Four of these appointments are supported by federal budget funding aimed at resolving significant backlogs in migration and protection cases, as well as expediting native title claims. The expanded case management and mediation model promises better legal outcomes, particularly for First Nations Australians.
Greek Australian Connection
Prof Stellios’ appointment is noteworthy for Greek Australians. With academic credentials from the ANU and a career in constitutional law, he exemplifies the contributions of Greek Australians to the legal and academic sectors.
These appointments followed an open call for expressions of interest and were overseen by a panel of eminent individuals. Attorney-General Dreyfus thanked all the appointees for their service, emphasizing their critical role in maintaining public trust in the judiciary.
