I am pleased to announce the following judicial appointments.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 1)
The Hon Judge Anna Parker and the Hon Judge Joanne Stewart have been appointed to the FCFCOA (Division 1).
Judge Parker and Judge Stewart have both been appointed to the Adelaide Registry of the FCFCOA (Division 1) and will commence on 2 June 2025.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 2)
Mr Mark Cleary, Mr Peter Fary SC, Mr Leigh Johns OAM and Ms Jane Marquard have been appointed as Judges of the FCFCOA (Division 2).
Mr Cleary has been appointed to the Parramatta Registry, Mr Fary and Mr Johns to the Melbourne Registry and Ms Marquard to the Sydney Registry of the FCFCOA (Division 2).
All four appointees will commence on 1 April 2025.
All appointments followed an open call for expressions of interest. All applications were considered by an advisory panel comprised of eminent individuals.
On behalf of the Australian Government, I congratulate each new Judge on their appointment and thank them for their willingness to serve the Court and the people of Australia.
Biographies
Judge Anna Parker
Judge Parker was admitted as a legal practitioner in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2006 and signed the Victorian Bar Roll in 2016, practising in family law and related jurisdictions. Judge Parker was appointed as a Judge of the FCFCOA (Division 2) in 2021.
Judge Joanne Stewart
Judge Stewart was admitted as legal practitioner in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1990 and signed the Victorian Bar Roll in 1992, practising in family law and related jurisdictions. Judge Stewart was appointed as a Judge of the then Federal Circuit Court of Australia in 2013 and has served as Judge of the FCFCOA (Division 2) since 2021.
Mr Mark Cleary
Mr Cleary was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1996 and signed the Bar Roll in New South Wales in 2001, practising in all areas related to migration law.
Mr Peter Fary SC
Mr Fary was admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1994 and signed the Victorian Bar Roll in 2001. In 2008, Mr Fary became a Nationally Accredited Advanced Mediator through the Victorian Bar. In 2020, Mr Fary was appointed Senior Counsel.
Mr Leigh Johns OAM
Mr Johns was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1994. In 2005, Mr Johns became a Nationally Accredited Mediator. Since 2013, Mr Johns has served at the Fair Work Commission as a Commissioner, and was the National Practice Leader for unfair dismissals and general protections.
Ms Jane Marquard
Ms Marquard was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1989. In 2006, Ms Marquard was appointed as a Member of the then Migration Review Tribunal and the then Refugee Review Tribunal. In 2016, Ms Marquard was appointed as a Member of the then Administrative Appeals Tribunal and in 2024 was appointed to the Administrative Review Tribunal as a Senior Member and list leader.
