Forced retirement at age 65 could soon be a thing of the past for Canberra's magistrates under a plan by the Canberra Liberals.
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Legislation was introduced to the the ACT Legislative Assembly on Wednesday to raise the age of mandatory retirement for magistrates from 65 up to 70.
The move would bring the age of retirement in line with that of the Supreme Court, where judges are allowed to sit until their 70th birthday.
Opposition Attorney-General spokesman Jeremy Hanson, who tabled the legislation, said most Australian jurisdictions had already moved the age of retirement for magistrates to 70 or higher and it had been time to make the change in the ACT.
"The current retirement age was set many years ago. It does not recognise the valuable contributions these people could still provide to the Canberra community, and it is out of step with modern standards," Mr Hanson said.
"It takes many years of legal practice and professional development to attain the skills to be
a magistrate. Now, just when those Magistrates could be at the peak of their ability and
experience, they are forced to retire.
"This bill not only recognises the value of allowing experienced, capable people to keep
working, it also addresses an anomaly where the retirement age in the Magistrates Court is
65, but the retirement age in the Supreme Court is 70."
Mr Hanson said the workload of the courts had been a major issue in Canberra recently.
"This allows our best and brightest to continue to serve our community."
The debate was adjourned for vote at the next Assembly sitting.
