Lukas Coch / AAPIMAGE

Earlier this year, Brandis quietly announced a number of appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), which deals with complaints and appeals made against federal agencies.

The tribunal has multiple divisions and makes important decisions around refugee applications, freedom of information requests, disability and veterans' appeals, and determinations around child support payments.

Brandis' AAT announcement came on the final work day before the election date was announced, ensuring his choices would be appointed even if the government lost the election.

As BuzzFeed News previously revealed, among those appointed to the tribunal is Brisbane lawyer Theo Tavoularis, who donated to the Liberal National Party in the lead-up to the 2013 election and recently represented Brandis's son in court in a criminal matter.