Swearing-In Ceremony for Acting Governors

Ministers, the Honourable Ros Bates MP and the Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP; The Honourable Justice Debra Mullins AO, the Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley, the Honourable Justice Shane Doyle, the Honourable Justice Soraya Ryan, the Honourable Justice Elizabeth Wilson; my Official Secretary, Ms Yolande Yorke and Deputy Official Secretary, Mr Scott Allen, welcome. 

Thank you all, for joining me on this very special occasion.  

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

I wholeheartedly offer my sincere thanks and congratulations to Justices Brown, Bradley, Doyle, Ryan, and Wilson on being sworn in as Acting Governors. 

While I trust your duties will not be too onerous, experience over the past year shows that Acting and Deputy Governors have played an active role during my absences interstate and overseas. 

There have been numerous occasions when Acting Governors have fulfilled the constitutional responsibilities of the Governor—presiding over meetings of the Executive Council and granting Royal Assent to legislation passed by Parliament. 

Acting Governors also take on important civic and ceremonial duties. For example, the Honourable Justice Martin Burns hosted a Reception for my patronage organisation Circa, an internationally renowned Queensland-based circus company, and Chief Justice Bowskill welcomed the community at an Open Day in June. 

These contributions ensure continuity in representing our Head of State and highlight the significance of your role. 

Your role carries not only constitutional weight but also the trust and confidence of the people of Queensland. I am certain you will approach these responsibilities with the same integrity, wisdom, and dedication that have distinguished your judicial service.

This is a duty of the utmost importance, and I trust you will take pride and some degree of pleasure in exercising these responsibilities when required, to ensure the efficient operation of the Constitution in Queensland. 

Ministers, I would also like to thank you for witnessing today’s swearing-in and joining us for today’s afternoon tea.  

Serving the people of Queensland is both an honour and a privilege, and it is equally an honour to serve alongside such upstanding individuals as yourselves. Thank you for your ongoing contributions to our State.