New appointments to Migration and Refugee Review Tribunals
Friday 5 December 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today announced the appointment of five Senior Members to the Migration Review Tribunal (MRT) and the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT).
‘In accordance with the new merit and transparency guidelines on statutory office holders issued by the Australian Public Service Commission, I chose not to exercise my option to simply re-appoint current members,’ Senator Evans said.
‘My decision to test the field, rather than re-appoint current members as has occurred in previous years, opened the process to the best possible candidates and has ensured a fair and robust selection process.’
The five successful applicants were unanimously selected through a merit-based process by a panel consisting of Mr Andrew Metcalfe, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (chair), Mr Denis O’Brien, Principal Member of the Tribunals, Ms Lynne Tacy, then Deputy Australian Public Service Commissioner and Ms Carmel Guerra, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Multicultural Youth.
‘Each of the successful applicants demonstrated a strong sense of fairness and understanding of the principles of administrative law and the ability to apply these skills in determining review applications,’ Senator Evans said.
‘I have endorsed the appointment of the five senior members recommended by the selection panel and look forward to their contribution to the tribunals.
‘Their qualifications and experience will ensure the effective delivery of review decisions.’
The following people have been appointed to the tribunals: Mr Giles Short, Dr Irene O’Connell, Ms Amanda MacDonald, Ms Linda Kirk and Mr Peter Murphy.
All have been appointed for five years commencing on 1 January 2009 and ending on 31 December 2013. Three of the appointees are currently serving on the tribunals.
Further information about the role of the tribunals can be obtained from the tribunals’ website.
See:
www.mrt-rrt.gov.au
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08121.htm
Last update: 05 December 2008 at 14:32 AEST