Tributes as trailblazer steps down

First female Supreme Court judge hailed as a role model

TASMANIA’S first female Supreme Court judge has been hailed a trailblazer and role model for all women.

A ceremonial sitting was held yesterday to mark the retirement of Justice Shan Tennent after 12 years of service.

Justice Tennent made history as the state’s first female Supreme Court judge in 2005.

She first entered the legal profession in Queensland before she moved to Hobart with her husband and daughter in 1977.

Justice Tennent was previously a magistrate and had a background in family law with Hobart firm Page Seager.

One of her highest-profile cases was a deaths in custody inquest, where she sat as a coroner and examined the cir- cumstances surrounding the deaths of several inmates at Risdon Prison.

The judge’s job became vacant when Chief Justice William Cox resigned to become Governor of Tasmania. Judge Peter Underwood was promoted to Chief Justice, creating a vacancy on the bench.

Then attorney-general Judy Jackson said she planned to appoint a woman to the bench, which sparked controversy, with several law figures and the opposition parties saying the appointment should be based on merit, not gender.

Justice Tennent said yesterday her elevation to the role had left “a few noses out of joint”.

She said past retiring judges had taken the opportunity for “a parting shot or two” and she could make remarks around suspended sentences and dangerous criminals, but that dramatic change in those areas was “not likely”.

“I will say I am pleased with the work done by the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute about dangerous criminal legislation. That legislation needs a serious review,” Justice Tennent said.

“There have been some significant injustices done be- cause of the way the legislation currently operates.”

Chief Justice Alan Blow described Justice Tennent as diligent, conscientious, insightful and well respected, and detailed her personal passion for cats, golf and red wine.

“Your contribution to Tasmania and the law has been enormous,” he said.

Newly appointed Justice Minister Elise Archer congratulated Justice Tennent on her “distinguished and illustrious” career on behalf of the Government.

“You have shown being a woman is not a handicap to reaching the pinnacle of the legal profession,” she said.

Law Society of Tasmania president Rohan Foon described Justice Tennent as a trailblazer who had worked tirelessly for the benefit of the community.