Dinner for Senior Judges of the Supreme Court of Queensland

The Honourable Chief Justice Helen Bowskill; Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court of Queensland; and your partners. Good evening!

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

It is such a pleasure to welcome you all to Government House this evening, and to have this opportunity to thank you for contributing, so significantly, to the ongoing welfare of our State.

As senior judges of the highest level of court in Queensland, your outstanding expertise, integrity and fearless leadership are fundamental to ensuring that the rule of law is upheld and that the democratic system we value so highly is honoured and protected.

As sworn-in Acting Governors, led by the Chief Justice, you are eminently qualified to take on the Vice-Regal role and responsibilities, should the need arise, as many of you have done already, and this is deeply reassuring, both to me, but most importantly, to the people of Queensland.

The strong link between Supreme Court judges and the monarch’s representative in Queensland stretches back to the birth of the colony itself, when the first—and at that time, only— Supreme Court judge, the Honourable Justice Alfred Lutwyche presented an address to the first Queensland Governor Sir George Bowen, on behalf of the people, welcoming him to the newly separated colony.

Of course, it is well known that that particular relationship did not continue well—largely as a result of Sir George’s controversial interventionist practises—which was to have a long-lasting constitutional effect on the appointment of Acting Governor. 

Thankfully, we have come a long way since those early days.

Yet, we now live in an ever-complex, fast-changing world, and in a state with a population much larger and more diverse than that of Sir George’s time.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it brought with it not only tremendous upheaval, but also highlighted our vulnerabilities, which is why more of our most senior Supreme Court judges have been sworn in as Acting Governors to stand ready. 

I know, that as our State’s top champions for fairness, transparency and accountability, you are each prepared, even at short notice, to assume the Vice-Regal mantel, and in particular, to protect the constitutional responsibilities that keep our government stable.

And so, I thank you, on behalf of all Queenslanders, for your outstanding service to the public, to our judicial system, and to the democratic system that defines our peaceful, enviable way of life.

I also take this opportunity to thank your partners and loved ones, who provide their valuable support. I am sure you would agree that life in the public eye is not always easy.

I, for one, am so grateful for Graeme’s unwavering encouragement.

Please enjoy this special dinner.

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