Judicial Conduct Commissioner investigating South African judge for alleged sexual harassment

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A South Australian judge is being investigated by the Judicial Conduct Commissioner for an allegation of sexual harassment.

Key Points: Judicial Conduct Commissioner says he has received a complaint about the conduct of a sitting judge The CBA is unable to name the person A magistrate was removed from office in November following allegations sexual harassment

The ABC is unable to name the judge involved or detail the allegations, for legal reasons.

But Commissioner Michael Boylan KC has allowed the CBA to publish the fact that he has received a complaint “concerning the conduct of a sitting judge”.

“The complaint relates to allegations of sexual harassment,” he said in a statement.

“I am currently conducting a preliminary review of the complaint.

“This review is in its early stages, and it is inappropriate for me to say more now.”

State Courts Administrator Penny Croser said staff welfare is a priority and measures are in place to ensure employees feel safe to raise concerns.

She said the staff would be supported.

Previous allegations against judicial officers

South Australian magistrate Simon Milazzo was removed from office in November over allegations of sexual harassment.

A report by a Judicial Conduct Committee filed in state parliament found the former magistrate engaged in inappropriate behavior with a sexual undertone involving four associates over the years.

The 68-year-old was suspended with pay for more than a year while the allegations were investigated.

He denied engaging in inappropriate conduct by way of sexual harassment.

The complaint came to light during an investigation as part of a review of sexual harassment within the South Australian legal profession.

The review, by Acting Equal Opportunities Commissioner Steph Halliday, found that the legal profession had a “patriarchal and hierarchical culture” and that a “lack of diversity” and “deep-rooted gender biases” were drivers of bullying.

Around 42% of the 600 respondents said they had been the victim of sexual or discriminatory harassment at work, including a third more than once.

The issue of sexual harassment in Australia’s justice system came to the fore after the high-profile inquiry into former High Court judge Dyson Heydon.

An independent court-ordered investigation of Viviene Thom found he sexually harassed six former associates.

It prompted a High Court apology and historic compensation to three of the women who were allegedly sexually harassed by former Justice Heydon, who has always denied the allegations.

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