University of Queensland Senate Dinner

Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Steven Miles MP; Chancellor, The University of Queensland, Mr Peter N Varghese AO and Mrs Margaret Varghese; Vice-Chancellor and President, The University of Queensland, Professor Deborah Terry AC, and Professor Ottmar Lipp; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Jagera and Turrbal peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this evening.  

As Official Visitor to the University, I am delighted to join you once again for this splendid annual dinner, which gives us all the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate another year of excellence, enterprise and success. Graeme sends his regards but is unfortunately unwell and unable to join us this evening. 

Since he and I first accepted the Chancellor’s invitation to this event, four years ago, we have watched with great pride as Graeme’s alma mater has repeatedly excelled in the rankings—and 2025 has certainly been no exception, with UQ named as Australia’s top research institution in no fewer than 26 fields of research, and 17 of the University’s researchers named in the list of our nation’s top 250. 

Just last month, UQ became only the second academic centre of the International Testing Agency worldwide—a partnership that will strengthen clean sport as Brisbane prepares for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in seven years.

As Queensland’s former Chief Health Officer, I was thrilled when news came through in July that global biopharma company Sanofi had acquired Vicebio, the company formed in 2018 to develop UQ’s Molecular Clamp Technology, for US$1.15 billion—the largest intellectual property commercialisation deal ever by an Australian university.  

From its 2018 beginnings and its role in the COVID19 vaccine effort, this success is a tribute to UQ’s perseverance and innovation.  

As a committed advocate for Queensland education and research, I am especially proud that the project’s leaders—Professors Paul Young, Keith Chappell and Trent Munro—are all UQ graduates, and that the University has retained such talent in a fiercely competitive global market. 

As Governor, I thank the Senate and the University for continuing to take a leadership role in education and research, both in this State and globally.  

And as the 36th Senate begins, with its new strategic plan, I wish you well and thank you for your commitment to the ideals established by your very first Chancellor, my predecessor as Governor, Sir William MacGregor.

At the inauguration of the University in December 1909 Sir William said: “What we understand here by a university, and what we aim at, is an institution where any person can find the fullest and best instruction of the day in any branch of knowledge… 

…“It will be the head cornerstone of the system of education in this State, a school that will be accessible to all and will afford equal chance and opportunities to rich and poor alike, without reference to sex or religious denomination.” 

Long may it continue. Thank you.