Corruption expert and prosecutor appointed Magistrate

  • Thomas McPhee appointed to Magistrates Court of WA
  • Prosecutor has worked for Commonwealth, State and in Papua New Guinea  
  • Attorney General John Quigley is pleased to announce the appointment of former Commonwealth and State prosecutor Thomas McPhee as a Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.

    Mr McPhee was Senior Assistant State Prosecutor at the State Solicitor’s Office, where he led the High Risk Serious Offenders team. He has appeared as counsel in prosecutions and civil litigation.

    He was Principal Federal Prosecutor at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, where he conducted commercial matters as well as supervising and managing a team of practitioners.

    As Senior Prosecution Adviser in Papua New Guinea, Mr McPhee led the Serious Crime and Dishonesty team, mentored and worked closely with prosecutors to build skills and capacity, and appeared as lead counsel in prosecutions.

    Prior to this appointment as a Magistrate, he was Special Counsel (Criminal Law) at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

    Mr McPhee has also worked in private practice, including his own, and as a lecturer at Murdoch University and Notre Dame University law schools.

    He replaces Magistrate John O’Sullivan, who has taken up a position as a Senior Member of the State Administrative Tribunal.

    Mr McPhee’s appointment takes effect on October 22, 2021.

    As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:

    “Mr McPhee has significant experience in dispute resolution and complex financial and corruption matters.

    “He is a capable and effective decision maker, a respected legal educator and has a proven ability to work in challenging environments.

    “Mr McPhee will be a valued member of the Magistrates Court and I congratulate him on his appointment.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.