Australia’s first Indigenous federal magistrate welcomed
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon congratulates Federal Magistrate Matthew Myers, who will be welcomed to the Federal Magistrates Court today in a special sitting of the court.
“I congratulate Mr Myers, not only on his appointment as a Federal Magistrate, but also as Australia’s first Indigenous appointment to a federal court,” Ms Roxon said.
“While all appointments to the federal judiciary are important, this particular appointment is a significant one.
“Mr Myers’ indigenous heritage will add to the diversity of the Court and inspire young Australians from all cultural backgrounds to aspire to the federal judiciary,” she added.
Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin also congratulated Mr Myers on his appointment.
“Mr Myers is a leader in his community and a positive role model for young Indigenous Australians,” Ms Macklin said.
“This is an historic appointment, and will encourage others to take on leadership roles and make positive contributions to their communities.”
The Government announced Mr Myers’ appointment in December last year, which commenced on 23 January 2012. Mr Myers will be based at the Newcastle registry.
For all media enquiries, please contact the Attorney-General’s Office on 0409 945 476
Matthew Myers biography
Mr Matthew Myers holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) from the College of Law and a Vocational Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution from Bond University. Mr Myers was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1997.
From 1997 to 1999, Mr Myers worked as a solicitor at Strain Kernan Cameron Solicitors in Terrigal, undertaking Legal Aid and private family law work in parenting and property matters. In 1999 he commenced in partnership with Malcolm Cameron, continuing with Legal Aid and private family law work in parenting and property matters, up until his appointment to the Federal Magistrates Court.
Mr Myers was a member of New South Wales Legal Aid’s Family Law Panel and Independent Children’s Lawyer Panel, the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association. He gained accreditation as a Family Law Specialist in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland and as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner he undertook part time work with CentaCare. He was actively involved at a community level and in pro bono work including as a legal advisor to clients of the Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre on the Central Coast.
Mr Myers is a former member of the Gosford and Wyong Community Aid Panels and The Honoured Friends of the Salvation Army. He has been involved with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council and National Congress of Australia’s First People. Mr Myers was also a nationally accredited mediator.