New Director of NT Legal Aid Commission Appointed

5 October 2021

The Territory Labor Government has today announced a new appointment for the position of Director of the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission.  

Ms Annmarie Lumsden, a highly-accomplished senior leader who has a career spanning 23 years, will take up the top job in Legal Aid in the Territory.

Ms Lumsden comes to the role from Legal Aid NSW, where she has served as Director of Crime. In addition, she has held roles as Acting Deputy CEO, Director of Strategic Planning and Policy, Acting Director of Family Law, Director of Grants and Solicitor Advocate (Criminal Law), and became an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law in 1999.

Ms Lumsden also brings substantial experience in issues of Indigenous incarceration and justice, including the establishment of an Aboriginal people’s sentencing court in the District Court of NSW, the Bugmy Justice Project.

In welcoming Ms Lumsden, the Territory Labor Government also extends its thanks and recognition for the outstanding work and leadership of the outgoing Director of the NT Legal Aid Commission, Ms Suzan Cox QC OAM. 

Ms Cox has been part of Legal Aid in the Northern Territory for 30 years.

Ms Lumsden will commence as Director on 6 December 2021.

Quotes from Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Selena Uibo:

“I congratulate Ms Lumsden on her appointment and look forward to working with her to achieve better outcomes for Territorians in the justice sector.

“Ms Lumsden brings with her years of experience and the Territory justice sector and the NT Legal Aid Commission are the beneficiaries of a highly-regarded leader.

“We acknowledge the outstanding work of outgoing Director Suzan Cox QC, who has been a magnificent role model for lawyers with a passion for justice, in particular, advancing the cause of women lawyers and advocating for justice for the disadvantaged.”