Portfolio — 20 March 2026

**Appointment to the Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal**

The Attorney-General announced the appointment of Justice Andrew Coleman as a new member of the Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal [TA-260320-attorn-56bcd77cb704]. Justice Coleman serves as a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and holds the rank of Major in the Australian Army Legal Corps (Reserves), bringing both judicial and military legal experience to the role [TA-260320-attorn-56bcd77cb704].

The Tribunal hears and determines appeals from courts-martial and Defence Force magistrates concerning service offences committed by Australian Defence Force personnel [TA-260320-attorn-56bcd77cb704].

The Attorney-General said, "I congratulate Justice Coleman on his appointment and thank him for his willingness to serve the Australian community" [TA-260320-attorn-56bcd77cb704]. She described Justice Coleman as "a respected judge" who "brings valuable knowledge and experience to the Tribunal" [TA-260320-attorn-56bcd77cb704]. The Attorney-General stated that the appointment "will add to the capacity of the Tribunal to deal with appeals from courts-martial and Australian Defence Force magistrates relating to service offences by Australian Defence Force personnel" [TA-260320-attorn-56bcd77cb704].

The appointment reflects the government's approach of strengthening the Tribunal's capacity to handle military-justice matters by appointing experienced legal professionals [TA-260320-attorn-56bcd77cb704]. The Tribunal operates at the intersection of the Attorney-General's legal-appointments function and the Defence portfolio's military-justice system, providing the appellate layer for service offences within the Australian Defence Force.

No parliamentary sitting occurred on 20 March 2026, so the Attorney-General's activity for this window is captured solely through the media release. The single release is narrowly scoped to the appointment and does not address broader military-justice reform or any legislative agenda.