FED Legal Immunity for Local Court Judges Performing Federal Magistrate Functions

Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026

2 Mar 2026: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

House of Representatives

Senate

Assent

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Topics

bankruptcy court system customs extradition judicial appointments

Introduced by: The Hon Michelle Rowland MP (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

The Governor-General can now arrange for Local Court Judges of New South Wales to act as magistrates under the Bankruptcy, Customs, and Extradition Acts.
Local Court Judges of New South Wales get the same legal protections and immunity as their usual court role when issuing customs warrants or orders.
The Bankruptcy Act now includes Local Court Judges of New South Wales in its definition of a magistrate; this applies if a formal arrangement is in place.
The Customs Act now includes Local Court Judges of New South Wales as Division 1B Magistrates; this applies if a formal arrangement is in place.
The Extradition Act now includes Local Court Judges of New South Wales in its definition of a magistrate; this applies if a formal arrangement is in place.
Existing arrangements between the Governor-General and the Governor of New South Wales regarding magistrates continue to apply to Local Court Judges.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Michelle Rowland ALP

“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026 will make consequential amendments to Commonwealth legislation arising from the passage of the Local Court and Bail Legislation Amendment Act 2025 of New South Wales.”

Official source →

Andrew Wallace LNP

“I rise today to speak on the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026. It’s an important yet uncontroversial piece of legislation that reflects recent reforms to the New South Wales legal system, specifically those introduced through the Local Court and Bail Legislation Amendment Act 2025 in New South Wales.”

Official source →

Michael McCormack NAT

“Of all the things that the New South Wales government has on its plate at the moment, you would think this would probably be the least imperative and important, but, given the fact that amongst one of its so-called primary reforms was the abolition of the statutory office of Magistrate of the Local Court and the establishment of a new statutory office called Judge of the Local Court, we find ourse…”

Official source →

Nita Green ALP

“I move: That this bill be read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— THE LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (NEW SOUTH WALES LOCAL COURT) BILL I move that this Bill be now read a second time.”

Official source →

Michaelia Cash LIB

“I rise to speak on the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026. This is an important yet uncontroversial piece of legislation that reflects recent reforms to the New South Wales legal system, specifically those introduced to the Local Court and Bail Legislation Amendment Act 2025 in New South Wales.”

Official source →

David Shoebridge GRN

“The Greens do not oppose this bill. But, for the life of us, we cannot work out how it isn’t contained in schedule 12 of the miscellaneous provisions act bill.”

Official source →