I extend my personal congratulations, and on behalf of the Government, to Marica Duvnjak who has been officially sworn in as a Magistrate this morning followed by a ceremonial sitting of the Magistrates Court of Tasmania.
Ms Duvnjak brings extensive legal experience to this important role, having previously served as a member of the Guardianship and Administration Board, Principal Crown Counsel at the Office of the Solicitor-General, Criminal Injuries Compensation Commissioner, and as Chairperson of the Parole Board.
Since 2018, she has been the Chairperson of the Resource Management Planning Appeals Tribunal (now Deputy President of our newly created Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, TASCAT).
Ms Duvnjak replaces Magistrate Glenn Hay who recently retired, and is based in Hobart.
In addition to Magistrate Duvnjak’s appointment, the appointment of two further Magistrates continues to progress with announcements expected shortly for one based in Burnie and another based in Launceston or Devonport.
This will bring the number of permanent Magistrates to 17 – the most that the Court has ever had. It will also provide an equal number of Magistrates between the South and the North/North-West of the State, and will allow the Court to deal with cases faster, while addressing any backlog of criminal matters.
Magistrate Duvnjak is already a well respected member of the legal profession and the justice system, and I look forward to the significant contribution that Magistrate Duvnjak will no doubt make to the Magistrates Court and to our justice system.