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Queensland Parole Board president Michael Byrne resigns after seven years in job

2024.06.14

The head of Queensland's parole board — Michael Byrne — has resigned after seven years in the role.

It comes just days after the state government rushed urgent law changes through parliament to fix an administrative bungle involving appointments to the board after it was revealed by the ABC.

A spokesman for Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd said the minister has accepted Mr Byrne's resignation – effective from July 4.

"Mr Byrne KC will be on leave until this date," the spokesman said.

"The minister thanks Mr Byrne for his service."

"Deputy President Julie Sharp will act in the position and a recruitment process will follow."

A prominent legal figure, Mr Byrne has previously served as the Commissioner for the Queensland Organised Crime Commission of Inquiry, as well as acted as the Director of Public Prosecutions and a District Court judge.

He was appointed president of the new parole board in 2017.

Last week the ABC revealed there were concerns some people on the board had not been properly appointed, bringing into question the validity of some of the board's decisions.

It was later confirmed the concerns related to acting professional board members.

State parliament heard this week that errors involving the appointment of some of those members "may have had the effect of invalidating parole decisions that [those acting] members took part in".

"The government is acting swiftly with the amendments to ensure these directions remain enforceable, and risk can continue to be effectively managed," Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.

"These amendments will not change the outcome of any impacted decisions."

The urgent amendments passed Wednesday night.

Earlier this week, Ms Boyd told the House she had requested a meeting with "the president of the Parole Board to understand any issues that are occurring and ensure that the Parole Board is aware of the government's expectations and the community's expectations".