Dinner in support of Queensland Leaders

Good evening, all and welcome.

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

Graeme and I are delighted that you’ve all been able to join us for this special dinner to acknowledge the important role you play in our State as leaders of some of our key public and civic service institutions.

The collective expertise and experience held within those entities help to ensure that our State has strong, stable, and cohesive communities – you keep us safe and well; you promote good governance; you provide spiritual and communal support; and you strengthen the international and multicultural ties that are so fundamental to Australian society.

Your roles are particularly important at this moment in Queensland’s history because the 19-gun salute that echoed from Kangaroo Point earlier today marks the Opening of Queensland’s 58^th Parliament and the beginning of the new term of service by the men and women elected as Members of Parliament last month.

Such times of transition can produce community anxiety, especially when there is a change in the governing party and a consequent change in priorities and policies.

That sense of uncertainty is not confined to the public – some of our newly elected members have never served in Parliament before and many members of our State’s new government have been appointed for the first time as Ministers or Assistant Ministers.

They now need to learn about their roles and responsibilities; master the procedures, language and etiquette of parliament; engage with their constituents and the media; build alliances and networks; and understand the constitution and the laws and policies that flow from it.

To mix a couple of metaphors, they’ve been plunged into the deep end and are now scaling a sheer cliff, but as they grow into their roles, I am confident that they will all discover the public and civic service institutions that you represent are an invaluable source of assurance, advice, and reliable information.

I can say this with the confidence of personal experience – it is only three years this month since my appointment as Governor, and today was the first occasion on which I have delivered the Governor’s Speech at the opening of Parliament.

Throughout the last three years, I have learned just how important it is to establish and maintain contact with the commanding officers of our defence force, with the Commissioners who lead our vital State services, with the heads of our churches, and with the consular corps.

I thank you all for the service you give to Queensland and Queenslanders as leaders of those institutions for the assistance and support you have given to me. Please enjoy the wonderful tastes of Queensland created for you tonight by our Government House chefs.