Building public and professional confidence in Queensland’s criminal justice system: The role of sentencing councils.

Judge John Robertson1
1Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, Brisbane, Australia

As newly appointed Chair of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, this presentation will discuss how assuming this role provides an opportunity for the Council to extend its experience and professional skillset. Bringing direct practical knowledge about the sentencing process and a wealth of experienced as a result of involvement in a range of academic and educational endeavours such as authorship of the Queensland Sentencing Manual, as well as  various outreach activities, Judge Robertson will outline his vision for the Council as it extends its reputation within Queensland’s criminal justice system. Judge Robertson will discuss his commitment to diversifying the products of the Council to meet the varied needs of its expanding client base throughout Queensland and more broadly. A number of key future initiatives will be discussed as well as his thoughts on how best the Council can continue its efforts to provide responsive and accurate information about sentencing to all Queenslanders.


Biography:

Judge Robertson retired from the District Court in 2018, after being the first solicitor to be appointed to that court in 1994. He initially served as the first resident judge in Ipswich, moving to Maroochydore in 2001. He was a judge of the Childrens Court of Queensland throughout his judicial career and President of that court between 1999 and 2002. He was Deputy President of the Queensland Community Corrections Board between 1991 and 1994. Judge Robertson was regional convenor (Queensland) of the National Judicial College of Australia between 2002 and 2007. As a solicitor, he established the Brisbane-based firm JM Robertson & Co in 1978, which changed its name to Robertson O’Gorman in 1981. Throughout his legal career he has lectured and written extensively on criminal law issues including sentencing, juries, restorative justice and advocacy. In 2003 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of QUT for services to the law and legal education. Judge Robertson is the author of the Queensland Sentencing Manual, a practical resource designed for practitioners and students relating to sentencing principles in Queensland.