Acting Justice Howard William Olney AM

Howard William Olney was as an additional Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory from 1998 - 2003. Justice Olney was also a Justice of the Federal Court of Australia from 1988 – 2003. He is also Federal Aboriginal Land Commissioner having held that appointment since 1998 and from 1988 – 1991.

Justice Olney was Deputy President of the National Native Tribunal from 1994 – 1999, Deputy President of the Federal Police Disciplinary Tribunal from 1991 – 2001, a Presidential Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal from 1988 - 2003 and a Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia from 1982 – 1988. He was also a Judge of the Family Court of Australia from 1988 – 1990.

Justice Olney was appointed as a Queen’s Counsel in 1980 having been called to the Bar in 1974. He served as a Magistrate in Western Australia from 1965 – 1967 and was a solicitor in Western Australia from 1957 – 1965.
He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005 for services to the law and the judiciary, particularly in relation to Indigenous land issues.

Justice Olney retired in April 2003 but was re-appointed as an Acting Judge of the Court in 2005.