Queensland’s chief justice, Tim Carmody, has hit back at a retiring colleague who publicly criticised his leadership of the courts, saying his behaviour was “the best argument yet” for an independent body to select judges.
Outgoing supreme court judge Alan Wilson said at his farewell ceremony on Thursday that most of Carmody’s peers “now lack all respect” for him in a situation that was deteriorating and “beginning to tell” on the judges.
Wilson criticised Carmody’s work rate and legal ability, and said the judges had universally condemned his attempt to intervene in potential legal proceedings over a disputed state election result.
The chief justice responded to the “unfortunate remarks”, which included the claim he had referred to his colleagues as “snakes” and “scum”, on Thursday night in a statement from Papua New Guinea.
“I am disappointed that he would use such an occasion to embroil the court in more controversy,” Carmody said.
“I reject outright his attack on my integrity and performance as chief justice. His behaviour is the best argument yet for an independent judicial commission.”
It was the legal appointment of Carmody and others by the Newman government that in part prompted calls for an independent judicial commission by the Queensland law society and the council for civil liberties before the state election in January.
Prominent legal figures, including corruption fighter Tony Fitzgerald, criticised Carmody’s elevation from chief magistrate in part because he was seen as being too close to the Newman government through his public support of its controversial anti-gang legislation.
Calls for Queensland to adopt an independent body to assess prospective magistrates or judges, as in NSW, were rejected by both the Liberal National party and Labor during the election campaign.
Wilson was feted as a distinguished jurist at his farewell by the Queensland Bar Association and the Queensland Law Society.
In parliament, the attorney general, Yvette D’Ath, said Wilson was “widely respected and highly regarded in the legal profession, judiciary and government”.
“I’d like to thank him for his years of service, deserving reputation for fairness decency and intelligence,” she said.
Wilson in his speech said Carmody had urged judges publicly to “maintain civility and courtesy but he has on different occasions referred to us collectively as ‘snakes’ and ‘scum’”.
“Both the remarks, and this kind of hypocrisy, have a devastating effect on morale,” Wilson said.