Liberal plan to split Victorian appeals court regarded as ‘thought bubble’ that would politicise judiciary

A radical overhaul of Victoria’s highest court, proposed by the Liberal party to increase sentences, has been criticised by legal and human rights groups who warn it would politicise the judiciary.

The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, on Sunday announced that if elected in November the Coalition would split the court of appeal in two, creating a dedicated court of criminal appeal alongside a separate court of civil appeal. It would appoint additional judges with expertise in criminal law to the new court of criminal appeal.

In Victoria, judges are appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the attorney general. The shadow attorney general, James Newbury, said “nothing will change” about that process, though a “strong background in criminal matters will be a key focus” when making appointments.

The overhaul would be introduced alongside tougher bail and sentencing laws, which the Coalition has committed to enacting before the end of the year if it wins government. Together, the measures would help set new legal precedents which the Coalition said would ultimately lead to tougher sentences for serious offences.

Legal and human rights groups, however, have criticised the proposal. They described it as a “dangerous and ignorant thought bubble designed without the input of experts”.