Judicial Vice-Regal Service Dinner (1)

Your Honours and your respective partners, Clerks of the Executive Council. Good evening, all.

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

 Graeme and I are very pleased to welcome you this evening, and to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the judicial leaders who have so generously supported me, and the Office of the Governor, throughout my term.

 This table has a long association with the bench and bar, with generations of judicial leaders having gathered here since it was first installed in Queensland’s original Government House in the Domain more than 130 years ago. 

While most Governors have come from military, diplomatic or administrative backgrounds, it is worth noting that, on many occasions, those hosting such Vice-Regal dinners have themselves been former Chief Justices.

 Queensland has been particularly well served in this regard. 

 Three distinguished Chief Justices—Sir Alan Mansfield, Sir Walter Campbell and, most recently, The Honourable Paul de Jersey—have gone on to serve as Governor. 

 In addition, a number of Chief Justices have made significant contributions as Administrators of the State, including Sir James Blair, The Honourable William Mack and Sir Mostyn Hanger.

 The current arrangements for Acting and Deputy Governors reflect important constitutional changes made in 2001. Those reforms introduced a more flexible framework for appointments, which in turn has supported the expanded role of the modern Governor—particularly in enabling greater engagement both across Queensland and internationally.

 Prior to those changes, coordinating these responsibilities alongside the demands of the court would have been far more complex. Today, that flexibility has allowed the Office to operate in a way that better reflects the contemporary expectations of the role.

Since my appointment in November 2021, Chief Justices and Judges have stepped into the role of Acting or Deputy Governor on 59 occasions. 

In total, 13 justices have undertaken these duties, contributing a combined 279 days of service—equivalent to more than nine months.

I am deeply grateful for the readiness with which all these responsibilities have been accepted.  

Whether for a single day or an extended period, the willingness of you, your families and your staff to support these appointments has been invaluable, and I thank you most sincerely.

I also wish to extend my appreciation to the Clerks of the Executive Council for their sound procedural advice and the careful stewardship of Executive Council business, supporting me as Governor and, in my absence, the appointed Acting and Deputy Governors.

Please enjoy the evening.