Lincoln Crowley QC has become the first Indigenous Australian to become a Supreme Court judge after being appointed to the post in Queensland today.
Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomed the decision, saying both Crowley and new Supreme Court Judge Melanie Hindman had years of experience.
“Both are outstanding individuals who have a lot to offer the Queensland Supreme Court,” he said.
Lincoln Crowley QC is the first Indigenous Australian to become a Supreme Court judge. (James Alcock / Fairfax media)
Crowley, a Warramunga man, grew up in North Queensland before joining the Sydney Bar in 2003.
He was appointed a Queens councilor in 2018.
“Mr Crowley has appeared regularly throughout Australia, but especially in Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian courts in a wide range of matters, especially trials and criminal appeals,” Palaszczuk said.
Crowley is the current chair of the Queensland Bar Association’s Indigenous Lawyers Committee, has been the Crown Prosecutor for the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Office in Sydney and has been the Crown’s Chief Prosecutor in the Maroochy Chambers for the Office of the Queensland Attorney General.
He has specialized in advocacy and prosecution in private law since 2009 with special experience in criminal law, due diligence, and related civil and litigation proceedings.
Crowley, a Warramunga man, grew up in North Queensland before joining Sydney Bar in 2003. (9News)
The Australian Law Council also congratulated Crowley on his new role.
“Mr Crowley has demonstrated professional excellence and is well deserving of this appointment,” said Tass Liveris, President of the Law Council of Australia.
“On behalf of the Australian legal profession, I congratulate him on this important personal and professional success, a success that also makes history.”
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Liveris said the indigenous people and islanders of the Torres Strait were still under-represented in the legal profession.
“While there is still a lot of work to be done, today’s announcement marks an important milestone,” he said.
“Mr Crowley joins a distinguished group of First Nations judges and magistrates who make a significant difference to the Australian community, the legal profession and the justice system.”
Crowley will be on the bench on June 13th.