A quality affirmative action appointment

Magistrate O'Shane is both a woman and part-Aboriginal -- and Left-leaning, funnily enough. And she hates the police



Controversial Magistrate Pat O'Shane yesterday showed that the judiciary was just as vulnerable to bad manners as the rest of society. Just two days after Chief Justice Jim Spigelman accused the community of low standards, Ms O'Shane abused a former police officer - and then stormed out of court. The magistrate aimed a volley of offensive remarks at former senior constable Graham Wardell, who, through his barrister, argued politely that he would not get a fair hearing from Ms O'Shane. This was because he had appeared before her some years ago, and feared there could be a conflict in her hearing the case.

Ms O'Shane exploded at the request, telling a stunned court: "He thinks that because he makes a complaint against me that I am going to be biased?" "He can go to another court! "Do I care? No I don't. Mr Wardell can be assured that he is not so important in my life. "He can go to another court!" Ms O'Shane said again, before storming away from the bench.

The outburst comes four months after Ms O'Shane sparked public outcry when she dismissed charges against a man who screamed at police: "Youse are f....." She then awarded more than $2600 in costs to Rufus Richardson, adding she was "not sure that there is such a thing as community standards any more".

Lawyers present were stunned by yesterday's incident and Ms O'Shane's subsequent disappearance. Barrister Kate Traill said she had not seen such a display from a member of the judiciary in 17 years at the bar. Ms Traill said Ms O'Shane's conduct was not only rude but had left her client out of pocket. "Barristers like me don't come cheap and I was booked to appear for the full day today," she said. "I'm a lawyer and I can cop a bit of stick but her comments in relation to my client were totally unnecessary."

Mr Wardell said he was "furious" and that he only wanted Ms O'Shane to step down from his case - an application for an Apprehended Violence Order - because she attacked his credibility when he appeared as a police witness in 1995. The case, heard by Ms O'Shane at Redfern Local Court, involved a young Aboriginal man who Mr Wardell claimed he had "caught red handed" stealing a car in George St. At that time a senior constable, Mr Wardell was so devastated by the alleged verbal barrage from Ms O'Shane that he lodged a formal complaint to the Attorney-General's Department.

But Ms O'Shane said yesterday she did not remember Mr Wardell. Ms O'Shane's walkout meant both parties were forced to register their application for an AVO in a different court. The matter has been adjourned until May. Mr Wardell expects to pay $4500 in barristers' fees for yesterday.

Chief Justice James Spigelman this week blamed poor parenting, reality television and a general decline in basis manners for the decay of civilised society. He said "ugly parent syndrome" and the "vulgarity and rudeness" of reality television was to blame. Ms O'Shane's direct boss, Chief Magistrate Derek Price, last night refused to comment on her performance but said he agreed with the remarks of the Chief Justice.

Source

(For more postings from me, see EDUCATION WATCH, GREENIE WATCH, POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WATCH, GUN WATCH, SOCIALIZED MEDICINE, AUSTRALIAN POLITICS and DISSECTING LEFTISM. Email me (John Ray) here.)

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