ANTHONY Whealy QC has been appointed an acting judge to the ACT Supreme Court to hear, among other things, the upcoming proceedings against David Eastman in the New Year.

His appointment is on the recommendation of the Supreme Court.

“Justice Whealy  is a highly qualified suitable acting judge to hear upcoming proceedings regarding the Eastman matter,” Attorney-General Simon Corbell said.

“Justice Whealy’s skills and experience are exemplary and he will be an important addition to the ACT’s judiciary,” Mr Corbell said.

“His appointment also reflects this Government’s commitment to support our resident judges and reduce waiting periods for resolution of matters before the courts.”

Eastman has applied for a stay against the director of Public Prosecution’s decision to re-try him for the 1989 murder of police commissioner Colin Winchester.

Justice Whealy has been a solicitor since 1965 and a barrister since 1971.  He practiced as a QC from 1984 to 2000. From 2000 to 2012 he was a justice of the Supreme Court of NSW, then a Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal from 2010 to 2012.

Since that time, Mr Whealy has also been the Chair of the COAG Committee on counter-terrorism laws, an acting judge of appeal in WA and assistant commissioner of the Independent Commission against Corruption.

He is also currently a part-time commissioner of the NSW Law Reform Commission, deputy chair of the NSW Sentencing Council, a university visitor for the Catholic University and a consultant for the Judicial Commission of NSW.