PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says an independent mediator to be appointed following Tim Carmody’s resignation will “calm things down” at the Supreme Court.

“I think the Queensland public has seen very clearly evidence of the judiciary not working together,” Ms Palaszczuk said today following yesterday’s revelations Justice Carmody had vacated the post after almost 12 months of public and private infighting over his ascension.

“That is why the Government will appoint an independent mediator, to come in, to calm things down so everybody can move forward.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she did not, however, believe Justice Carmody — who will remain on the Supreme Court bench as a supplementary Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal member — has been bullied out of the role.

“Absolutely not,” the Premier said when asked.

She also defended the decision to push ahead with appointing a new Chief Justice before the Government’s promised new judicial appointment process is finalised.

“I heard the shadow attorney general Ian walker speaking about the appointment process,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Well we know what happened under the LNP’s watch.

“The Attorney-General has made it clear that we will be going through an extensive consultation process.

media_camera Chief Justice Tim Carmody in Brisbane City this week.

“That means the Attorney-General will be speaking at length to the Bar Association, to the Law Society. The Attorney-General will be consulting at length to make sure that we get this appointment process right.

“We will be consulting extensively. This is a very significant appointment.”

Opposition Justice spokesman Ian Walker said he believed the net needed to be cast wider than the existing Queensland Supreme Court bench in order to replace Mr Camody.

“While there are good people obviously on the Supreme Court bench, we have had the situation, to put it in colloquial terms, the Chief Justice has taken one for the team,” Mr Walker said.

“He has opened up a position there, which I believe the Government should look very widely to make sure the person appointed as Chief Justice has the full confidence of the court, of the community, and of both sides of politics.

“I am disturbed to hear they are limiting the choice to the existing members of the court, I can’t see why that is and I believe that the Government should make the widest search possible to ensure we have the best Chief Justice to serve the people of this state.”

media_camera Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath at a press conference about Chief Justice Tim Carmody’s resignation on Wednesday.

OVERNIGHT

CHIEF Justice Tim Carmody has asked his supporters for forgiveness for letting them down as he handed in his resignation on Wednesday.

He described his time in the state’s top legal job as “an ordeal” and said the judges needed a Chief Justice they accepted and respected.

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In a letter send to the Bar Association of Queensland this afternoon, Justice Carmody said it had been a privilege and an honour to serve briefly in the role, but confirmed he had resigned.

“I made the decision to do so after long and anxious thought and broad consultation with family, friends and advisers,” he said in the letter.

“The decision was a finely balanced one and not made lightly.

“I hope it will be understood and taken in the light it is intended.

“It is to restore the dignity of the judiciary and the public confidence in its ability to administer justice.”

Justice Carmody also referenced the disharmony in the Supreme Court in the letter.

“The judges have been used to following a Chief Justice they accepted and respected,” he said.

“The community deserves a unified and harmonious court to be proud of.

“The profession too is entitled to a relevant, respected and collegiate court.

“An effective Chief Justice has to have the loyalty and support of the bench.”

The resigning Chief Justice also made a plea to people who have supported him in the role, which has included retired District Court judge Brian Boulton and former Chief Justice of the Family Court Alastair Nicholson.

“I hope that the many good people who have consistently encouraged and supported me throughout the ordeal of the past 12 months and urged me not to give in will understand and in time forgive me for letting them down,” Justice Carmody said.

Bar Association of Queensland president Shane Doyle issued a statement confirming Justice Carmody notified the association of his decision this afternoon.

“The Bar Association respects his Honour’s decision which, no doubt, was a personally difficult one,” he said.

“It was, however, a decision taken by his Honour in the interests of seeking to restore the dignity of the court and public confidence in the administration of justice. “The Attorney General has (on Wednesday) rightly described this as a ‘gracious and generous’ decision in the public interest.

“Justice Carmody will have the support of the Bar in the future discharge of his role as a judge of the Supreme Court and in particular as a Judicial Member of Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.”

Justice Carmody and Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath this afternoon released a joint statement saying they were pleased to announce a “dignified end to the controversy that has involved the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court in recent times”.

“Consistent with Justice Carmody’s offer and in a generous and gracious gesture for the greater public good, His Honour has tendered his resignation to His Excellency the Acting Governor.

“However, consistent with Section 13 (2) of the Supreme Court of Queensland Act, His Honour retains his office and standing as a Judge of the Supreme Court. He will serve as a supplementary judicial member of the QCAT. At the time the Presidency of that body becomes vacant, the Attorney-General’s intention is to give favourable consideration to the judge’s appointment to that position.

“This arrangement is intended to resolve issues currently surrounding the Queensland judiciary and to restore certainty and stability in the due administration of justice within the State.

“The Chief Justice’s sacrifice of the significant rights, remuneration and privileges of the Office of Chief Justice is recognised as an honourable act. Consistent with the principle of the separation of judicial power, this decision was one for His Honour alone and he has shown strength of character in making his decision to do so.

“In the spirit of moving forward, the Government will also provide a mediator, of eminent legal experience and seniority, to support the Judges of the Supreme Court in identifying and developing appropriate work practices and standards within the court.

“The Government acknowledges the Chief Justice’s decision to resign in the public interest and wishes him every future professional and personal success.”

Mr Carmody first offered his resignation to Ms D’ath two months ago. It is understood Ms D’Ath contacted Justice Carmody last night as part of ongoing discussions between the pair.

He is understood to have spoken to his family last night before making a final decision on Wednesday.

At a press conference this afternoon, Ms D’Ath said she believed Wednesday’s move by Mr Carmody was in the best interests of the court.

“I acknowledge the significant contribution the Chief Justice makes,” Ms D’Ath said.

“This is drawing a line in the sand and allow all parties to move forward.”

Mr Carmody’s supplementary position will run until October 21, 2016. At that point the position of QCAT president is expected to be made vacant.

Ms D’Ath said she would look favourably on Justice Carmody applying for that position.

“This is a decision for the Chief Justice and the Chief Justice alone,” she said.

Ms D’Ath said Justice Hugh Fraser, currently the acting Governor, would be acting Chief Justice until a new appointment was made.

“It’s incumbent on me to consider the appointment of a new Chief Justice,” she said.

“I will not be rushing that decision.”

Justice Carmody will not keep his Chief Justice salary, but will be paid as a Supreme Court judge when he takes up his position as QCAT president.

That position is always held by a Supreme Court judge and is appointed on a rotational basis by the Attorney-General.

It is currently held by Justice David Thomas, who is on leave.

Ms D’Ath said the position was not generally held for an indefinite period of time and she had not considered how long Justice Carmody would be appointed for should he chose to apply and be successful.

“I’m not going to pre-empt that process,” she said.

Despite Justice Carmody requesting court reforms as part of his resignation offer, Ms D’Ath said she was not considering any other changes. She said she would provide a mediator for the courts.

“This is about strengthening our judicial system and providing support to those officers to rebuild their relationships in the judicial system,” Ms D’Ath said.

She said the situation showed why it was important to get appointment processes right.

“It emphasizes the importance of making sure we get the appropriate appointment process right in the first place,” she said.

Despite Justice Carmody requesting court reforms as part of his resignation offer, Ms D’Ath said she was not considering any other changes.

She said she would provide a mediator for the courts.

“This is about strengthening our judicial system and providing support to those officers to rebuild their relationships in the judicial system,” Ms D’Ath said.

She said the situation showed why it was important to get appointment processes right.

“It emphasizes the importance of making sure we get the appropriate appointment process right in the first place,” she said.