The Attorney-General is pleased to announce that the Tasmanian Government has established the Judicial Council of Tasmania, with the Judicial Commissions Act 2024 commencing on 1 July 2026. The new Council provides an independent and transparent process for managing complaints about judicial officers, supporting accountability and public confidence in Tasmania’s courts and tribunals.
The Judicial Council delivers a contemporary framework for addressing complaints about judicial officers and forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen and modernise Tasmania’s justice system. The Council will help ensure high standards of conduct across the judiciary while providing a clear and accessible complaints process for the community.
Council Membership
The Chief Justice of Tasmania, the Honourable Chistopher Shanahan SC, will serve as head of the Judicial Council. He is joined by the Chief Magistrate, the Honourable Catherine Geason, Michael O’Farrell SC, and Major General Steven Smith AM SC RFD (Retd). Together, the members will oversee the Council’s work in supporting transparency, accountability and public confidence in Tasmania’s judicial system.
Making a Complaint
Any person wishing to submit a complaint can do so from 1 July 2026
- More information about the Judicial Council will be available when the Judicial Council’s website goes live at: tas.gov.au
- Complaints can be made via:
- Email: principalofficer@judicialcouncil.tas.gov.au
- Post: GPO Box 825, Hobart, TAS 7001
15 July 2026