Margaret Anne Hunter is a Special Magistrate of the Australian Capital Territory. She was appointed as a special magistrate and coroner on 21 May 2014. She has been recognised with a

Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

for her support of women in the legal profession. Her work as a coroner has led to notable reforms of the health system in the

Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory (commonly abbreviated as ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) until 1938, is a landlocked federal territory of Australia containing the national capital Canberra and some surrounding townships. ...

Early life

Hunter studied at the

Australian National University The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies and ...

graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1991 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1992.

Career

Hunter first worked as a

nurse Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other health c ...

from 1978 to 1987. Hunter then worked as a prosecutor at the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions from 1994 to 2000. She became a founding committee member of Australian Women's Lawyers in 1997. In 2000, Hunter became a barrister in the

. She was appointed Principal Counsel Assisting the Coroner for the

in 2006. On 12 September 2013, she received a

'for service to the community, particularly through support for women in the legal profession.' Hunter was appointed a special magistrate and coroner for the

on 21 May 2014 for a period of three years. She has since been reappointed. In 2016, Hunter handed down findings in a coronial inquest which recommended changes to the medical prescription system in the

. These findings have led to reform by the government. Other recommendations have led to changes of policy at hospitals in the

Personal life

Hunter is a breeder of cattle. She has won several awards, including at the

Sydney Royal Easter Show First held in 1823, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, commonly shortened to The Easter Show or The Show, is an annual show held in Sydney, Australia over two weeks around the Easter period. It comprises an agricultural show, an amusement park and a ...

References

Magistrates of the Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory Living people Year of birth missing (living people) Australian magistrates Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia {{Australia-law-bio-stub