Retired Chief Judge Kerry O’Brien is the next Chair of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said Mr O’Brien, the former Chief Judge of the District Court of Queensland, was one of four new appointments to the Council.
Attorney-General Frecklington said as the longest-serving judge of the District Court since it was reconstituted in 1958, he would bring more than five decades of legal and courtroom experience to the group.
She said an additional three new members had been appointed, broadening the Council’s expertise across criminal law, and giving victims of crime a greater say on sentencing issues.
They are:
- Scott Lynch: Has worked in the criminal jurisdiction since 1988 and was called to the Bar in 1997. He has been involved in many high-profile criminal cases and handles complicated matters for legal aid clients as a member of the Legal Aid Queensland Complex Case Barrister Panel.
- Danielle Carroll: Managing Director of the Kelly Wilkinson Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation she established in honour of her late sister, providing long-term financial support to child victims of domestic and family violence homicide.
- Natalie Merlehan: A victim representative, heavily involved with Voice for Victims and has experience in criminology. She is also passionate about justice system reform in Queensland.
“The Council brings together legal experts, community advocates, and victims of crime to provide advice to Government and support greater understanding of sentencing in the community,” Attorney-General Frecklington said.
“With their broad experience and diverse expertise, I am confident these appointees will provide valuable perspectives on the Council and important input on sentencing issues.”
She said the Council had 14 independent members and provided research and advice, sought public views, and promoted community understanding of sentencing matters.
