Magistrate Robert Young has extensive history of being criticised by politicians throughout his career

Magistrate Robert Young was a Labor appointment when he was promoted to the bench by Attorney General Jim McGinty in 2007, to assist with a “heavy workload” in Broome. The citation at the time said he had been a legal practitioner for more than 13 years, specialising in criminal law. He has come under frequent criticism from politicians ever since, most recently in February 2019 when he expressed sympathy for a P-plater caught driving unlicensed after a three-month ban. Roger Cook, then Health Minister, called his suggestion provisional licences should not be cancelled “soft” and said road safety was paramount. In April 2018, Magistrate Young let a man who “coward punched” two bouncers at a Bunbury pub walk free with a $4600 fine, despite the fact he’d already been barred from the premises and had $4000 in other fines outstanding. In December 2017, Police Minister Michelle Roberts and Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan were among public figures who expressed concern when Dylan Robert Thomas was handed a suspended sentence for viciously punching two teens in the head. On Tuesday, Liberal Leader Libby Mettam said the latest controversy was proof of the need for a Judicial Commission that Labor first promised in 2016. “Premier Cook and his retiring Attorney General have sat on their hands for 8 years,” Ms Mettam said. “To make things worse Mr Cook wrongly suggests the Chief Justice inject himself into this when he has no power to do so. Victims of crime would be better served by a Government that takes action rather than one that is all talk.” In July this year, Attorney-General John Quigley said a bill was being drafted for an independent watchdog to handle complaints against the judiciary, but it was never introduced. Currently, a judicial officer can only be sanctioned via a motion passed by both houses of State Parliament.