Liberal Party proposes splitting Victoria's Court of Appeal into criminal and civil divisions

Jess Wilson, leader of the Victorian Liberal opposition, pledged to split the Court of Appeal into a criminal and a civil division, adding specialist judges to the new criminal bench. The restructuring would be introduced together with tougher bail rules and sentencing measures the Coalition intends to pass before the year ends. Shadow attorney-general James Newbury said judicial appointments would still follow the governor’s recommendation but would prioritize criminal experience.

Liberty Victoria, the Australian Lawyers Alliance, and the Law Institute of Victoria criticised the scheme as a dangerous politicisation of the courts. One Nation’s state leader Warren Pickering also called for greater accountability of judges, while Premier Ben Carroll dismissed the plan as legally uninformed.