Doubts raised about Queensland judges’ links to Anglican Church
Josh Robertson, ABC News
February 13, 2018
Justices Debra Mullins and David Thomas
Two sitting Queensland judges should quit their roles as legal advisers to the Anglican church, given the risk of controversy around the church’s responses to child sex abuse claims, according to a leading authority on judicial ethics.
Fresh questions around ties between judges and the church come after Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey was accused of a “serious conflict of interest” over his role in a legal review while both a judge and a church official 20 years ago.
Justices Debra Mullins and David Thomas have been forced to defend their roles as honorary legal advisers to the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, amid criticism from abuse survivors about the “intimidating” nature of trying to hold the church to account.
A leading public law expert suggested many people would be “uncomfortable” about judges giving confidential legal advice in a private capacity.
Justice David Thomas told the ABC he had no role in handling child sex abuse claims.
Justice Mullins said she had “no direct role” in handling claims.
Both judges told the ABC they intended to keep their official church roles, and the recently concluded Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse had not swayed their position.
But retired judge and ethicist James Thomas [no relation] said judges should not sit on church governing bodies that were “likely to be involved in public controversy … and that of course includes the Synod of the Anglican Church”.