As they say, when one door closes, another door opens. That certainly seems to be the case with the announcement of newly appointed Justice Virginia Bell as a replacement for Justice Michael Kirby, who retires from the High Court early next year.

57 year old Bell will be the fourth woman appointed as a High Court Justice, a tremendous achievement in itself.

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, told media yesterday that she would bring a “social conscience” to the court, and that she was chosen from a pool of 40 for her expertise in criminal law. “Justice Bell will have a depth of experience from literally the grassroots of legal practice upwards. Justice Virginia Bell is clearly an outstanding lawyer and will serve law and the Australian community with distinction.”

Bell has had an incredible career and has a strong commitment to social justice, given her past experience as a political activist, particularly in the area of gay rights. She was involved in the landmark civil liberties cases that arose from the very first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras back in 1978. In 2001 she ruled over a litigation case between Channel Seven and stockbroker Rene Rivkin, finding that calling someone gay was not grounds for defamation. In her younger years she was a driving force behind prison reform in NSW and was part of the group, Women Behind Bars. She’s also worked as a journalist with the ABC.

Proud lesbian media personality Julie McCrossin yesterday told media, “It is a great day for Australia that such a talented woman and judge has been appointed to the High Court.”