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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS PROPOSED
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THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION BILL WHICH SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON APPOINTMENTS TO ALL JUDICIAL OFFICES, RECEIVED ITS FIRST READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
INTRODUCING THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THE TIME HAD COME WHEN ADVICE TO THE GOVERNOR ON THESE APPOINTMENTS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE SHOULD BE MORE BROADLY BASED AND IN PARTICULAR INCLUDE THE ADVICE FROM OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC SERVICE.''
THE COMMISSION WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT UNDER WHICH THE CHIEF JUSTICE ADVISES THE GOVERNOR ON APPOINTMENTS TO JUDICIAL OFFICES, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE HEADS OF THE OTHER GOVERNMENT LEGAL DEPARTMENTS IN THE CASE OF SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
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THE COMMISSION WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND WILL HAVE TWO EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION. THE GOVERNOR MAY ALSO APPOINT UP TO THREE OTHER MEMBERS.
MR. HOBLEY TOLD COUNCIL THE SETTING UP OF THE COMMISSION WOULD NOT AFFECT THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE LAW FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS.
+WHAT IT WILL DO IS TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR AND, IN THE CASE OF SENIOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE WITH INDEPENDENT ADVICE,+ HE SAID.
THE COMMISSION WILL ALSO ADVISE ON OTHER MATTERS AFFECTING JUDICIAL OFFICERS WHICH MAY BE REFERRED TO IT BY THE GOVERNOR,
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
18.