A QUEEN’S Counsel has called for more judges to resign over the Carmody crisis as the State Government indicated it would not support a royal commission into the conduct of the judiciary.

Retired barrister Russell Hanson QC unleashed a scathing attack on judges for throwing convention “out the window” to criticise a judicial appointment and publicly express disapproval of legislation.

“This unconventional, unseemly conduct has brought the present Supreme Court into disrepute,” Mr Hanson said yesterday. “Some of those who complain that the appointment was the result of political patronage … should remember the saying that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.”

Speaking to the ABC, he added: “What it will now take, apart from time, to restore the reputation of the court, I do not know. A few resignations might help.”

His comments came amid debate over the establishment of a royal commission to investigate the conduct of the judiciary during a campaign to unseat the Chief Justice.

media_camera Retired barrister Russell Hanson QC unleashed a scathing attack on judges for criticising the judicial appointment of Chief Justice Tim Carmody, above.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath would not support an inquiry, saying “these are issues for the judges to resolve”.

Ms D’Ath’s office has contacted Justice Carmody in a bid to set up a meeting to discuss his resignation offer, a month after he initially made the offer in a meeting with Ms D’Ath.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told ABC Radio today work was under way to arrange a meeting as the government continues to firm up its stance against accepting any potential conditions attached to his resignation.

“Her (Ms D’Ath’s) office has contacted the Chief Justice and her offer remains that she is willing to meet with him,” she said.

“It is inappropriate for the Chief justice to ask for anything in return. That would be illegal. The government will decide what policy directions it wants to take. It will not be told by the Chief Justice what policy decisions it should take.

“This is a decision for the Chief Justice. Public confidence must be restored in our court system. This has become not just a Queensland issue, this has become a national issue. It’s a national issue and it needs to end.

“The courts need to continue with administering justice in this state. It has been embroiled in controversy over the past several months. It must stop because the public demands more.”

Despite rejecting his call for reforms in exchange for his leaving the top judicial post, Ms Palaszczuk said the resignation offer he had made was a generous one.

“I believe it is a generous act and one that my government is willing to sit down and discuss these issues with him,” she said.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the former Newman government had sought legal advice over allegations a senior member of the judiciary was attempting to talk Justice Carmody out of taking the top job in the days after his appointment was made public.

But further action was not taken as the alleged offer took place just days before the appointment became official.

It can be revealed the legal advice found there were no grounds for legal action as the alleged offer took place two days before the Governor signed off on the appointment