The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has been increased with 39 additional new members.
Appointed through a transparent and merit-based selection process, the new members are part of at least 75 additional appointments to address the AAT’s existing backlog of cases, particularly in the Migration and Refugee Division.
Further appointments from this process are to be announced in the weeks ahead.
Announced by Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus following backlogs and delays in the Tribunal, the AAT increases are expected to serve tens of thousands of people who rely on the AAT each year to independently review government decisions that have major and sometimes life-altering impacts on their lives.
“These additional members will be appointed for a fixed term of two years, with the majority assigned to the Migration and Refugee Division,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“There will also be several members assigned to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Division and the Social Services and Child Support Division,” he said.
“Some members will be assigned to more than one Division.”
He said that with the new appointments the total membership of the AAT will be 307 members, with 156 full-time members and 151 part-time members.
“The new Members will commence between 25 September and 8 November 2023,” the Attorney-General said.
“All Members appointed through this process will transition to the new administrative review body upon its commencement, for the remainder of their term.”
The new AAT members are Kylie Allen, Dr Adrienne Anderson, Mia Bailey, Joanne Bakas, Sean Baker, Glynis Bartley, Katherine Bean, Bryn Butler, Jason Cabarrús, Tonino Caravella, Gabrielle Deal, Suhad Dutra, Xanthe Emery, Maria Gagliardi, Donald Gordon, Gregory Hanson, Dr Khanh Hoang, James Horsley, Sarah Irvine, Samira Kamandi, Jessica McLeod, Alison Murphy, Mark Oakman, Franca Petrone, Damien Power, Radhika Prasad, Victoria Price, Lara Proske, Fraser Robertson, Inge Sheck, Michael Simmons, Donald Smyth, Damian Thomas, Rupert Timms, Matthew Tubridy, Patricia Tyson, Andrew Verduci, Paul White and Magdalena Wysocka.
