Lorraine Walker, the ACT's first female chief magistrate, has retired after a career marked by a focus on rehabilitation and compassion. Appointed as a magistrate in 2010 and sworn in as chief magistrate in 2011, Walker previously worked as a lawyer in England and as a military lawyer.
During her tenure, Walker presided over high-profile cases, including that of former federal parliamentary speaker Peter Slipper, whom she found guilty of three counts of dishonesty over misuse of his Cabcharge allowance. She also served as chief coroner for inquiries into the 2020 Orroral Valley Fire and the death of Canadian helicopter pilot David Wood in Antarctica.
Walker emphasized that putting someone in jail is not always the best option when rehabilitation could better protect the community. She acknowledged the difficulty of bail decisions, describing them as risk assessments with limited information and short time frames, and conceded that sometimes mistakes are made.
She defended the integrity of the judicial system, stating that courts must be allowed to perform their role without laws being simply a response to public concerns that may not fully appreciate bail's function. Walker expressed frustration with the ACT Children's Court, noting it is increasingly busy and dealing with complex matters, including children charged with murder and violent extremist material.
Walker said that by the time young people reach the criminal justice system, it is often too late to change their trajectory, highlighting the importance of the Children's Court's care and protection jurisdiction. She also called for earlier emphasis by prosecutors and lawyers on cases to prevent long delays.
