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THE Queensland opposition has been accused of redneck politicking for a second day running after questioning the appointment of a prominent civil libertarian to the role of a district court judge. Queensland Attorney-General Rod Welford yesterday announced the appointment of barristers Ian Dearden and Julie Ryrie as judges in the District Court. A high-profile lawyer in Brisbane, Mr Dearden is also well known for his decade-long role as president of the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties. Nationals leader Lawrence Springborg questioned Mr Dearden's independence, particularly his stance on sentencing issues. He was also unhappy with the Government's failure to consult the Opposition over the appointments, despite prompting by the Fitzgerald Report. "He has made quite definite statements against sentencing policies," Mr Springborg said. "We've had a concern about the appointment of people to judicial positions that quite clearly are in tune with the government philosophies and that threatens to undermine the independence of the judiciary. "The judiciary is not only supposed to be independent, it is also supposed to be seen as independent." Australian Council of Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman said Mr Springborg's criticisms were "redneck" and "wide of the mark". "I think a lot of people would say `Isn't this typical of the one-sided law and order posturing we have had from the Nationals over a period of three decades?"' Mr O'Gorman said. "It is not only redneck politics, it is just pushing extremism by a party that if they are going to be taken sensibly, have to be much more balanced." Mr O'Gorman said many outspoken barristers had proved to be good, impartial judges, adding the Court of Appeal was there to ensure consistency in sentencing. The criticism came a day after Premier Peter Beattie accused the Nationals of redneck politics after it urged people to protest against notorious pedophile Dennis Ferguson. The premier today described Mr Springborg's comments as "stupid". "I think Ian Dearden is an excellent lawyer and I think he is an excellent appointment and I just say to the opposition they should stop playing stupid politics," he said. Mr Welford defended his actions, saying nowhere in Australia did an opposition party have input into judicial appointments. "Having an opposition political party involved would not only be without precedent, but set a dangerous course of politicising a process that works well," he said. He said the process was exhaustive and involved consultation with the legal fraternity AAP (4-2-2005) |
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CONVICTED pedophile Dennis Ferguson has handed himself into police custody for protection from protesters who have hounded him for two days. Ferguson was picked up by police from an Ipswich house in Queensland on Wednesday night and has since laid a complaint against those who allegedly attacked the home with rocks and made verbal threats. Police confirmed yesterday they were investigating "a formal stalking complaint" made by Ferguson. Those who allegedly tried to run a car - in which Mr Ferguson was travelling - off the road also could face charges after a separate complaint was made against them by the owner of the home where Mr Ferguson was staying. Ferguson made the complaints in the safety of police custody yesterday while the second complaint was made at the Ipswich police station. Acting Police Minister Robert Schwarten yesterday confirmed Ferguson had voluntarily entered into police custody after being threatened by residents in Murgon and Ipswich. "The police have a very difficult job to do, but their job is not made any easier by people that seek to take the law into their own hands," Mr Schwarten said. "If any person in Queensland asks the police for protection because they fear for their safety as Ferguson has, it is the responsibility of the police to exercise this duty without fear or favour." In the meantime, police were trying to negotiate a safe place for Ferguson to live yesterday and would not reveal his whereabouts. Under the Child Protection Act, only Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has the power to disclose the whereabouts of pedophiles if there is an imminent risk to a child. Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said although he was powerless as to where Ferguson lived, he did not want him in Brisbane. "I can understand people who don't want him to be living next door to them," Cr Newman said. "He is welcome in Brisbane but only in one of our jails. That is the only place I'm happy for him to be." Ferguson has attracted strong protests when it was revealed he was living in the tiny town of Murgon, in the central Burnett region, and then Ipswich where he has resided before. "This individual should be behind bars. He is a threat to society and children," Cr Newman said. "From everything that I have heard, this guy is beyond redemption." The political furore over Ferguson continued yesterday as Premier Peter Beattie accused the Opposition of playing "red-neck politics" after Nationals deputy leader Jeff Seeney called on Queenslanders to continue hounding Ferguson if he moved to their town. But the Opposition continued to call on the Government to house pedophiles in special facilities within prisons after they had served their time, while the Liberals suggested the Government should electronically tag dangerous pedophiles so their movements could be tracked. Courier Mail (4-2-2005) Tanya Moore/ Rosemary Odgers/ Scott Murdoch |
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