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SPEECH


The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie MP
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice


Welcoming Ceremony for the Honourable Chief Judge
Kerry OBrien, Supreme Court of Queensland


31 October 2014

9:15am


Banco Court
Level 3, Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law
415 George Street, Brisbane








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May it please the Court.
On behalf of the Queensland Government, I am delighted to
welcome His Honour Chief Judge OBrien as Queenslands
new Chief Judge of the District Court.
His Honour brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to
the role, and has been described by colleagues as an ideal
choice for this important role in Queenslands judicial system.
His Honours appointment has been warmly welcomed by the
widest possible cross section of the community.
Phrases such as an esteemed legal mind, most
experienced, with an, unimpeachable record of integrity
come to mind.
Indeed, his Honours distinguished predecessor, Chief Judge
Wolfe, remarked only two weeks ago of this appointment:
That is a decision which has the warmest support of every
judge on the Court, of the Courts service, of the profession

The District Court is one of the busiest and most diverse
courts in Queensland. Having at its head a judge with the
extensive judicial and legal experience that his Honour brings
to the position will serve the interests of the Court and the
people of Queensland.

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His Honours strong ties to regional and rural Queensland
extend from his early years in the small western Queensland
town of Windorah.
His Honour boarded at Downlands in Toowoomba before
moving to Brisbane and attending Marist College at
Ashgrove.
His Honour graduated in Commerce and Law from the
University of Queensland and secured a State Government
scholarship and employment in the Solicitor-Generals office.
Called to the Bar in 1973 his Honour was appointed the
Central Crown Prosecutor in Rockhampton and subsequently
the Deputy Director of Prosecutions in Townsville.
In 1989 his Honour was appointed a Judge of the District
Courts resident in Townsville.

Throughout this entire period his Honour cemented his ties to
regional and rural Queensland and has sat in locations
throughout the state.
In the course of his judicial career his Honour has presided
over a significant number of high profile trials including
those involving a sacrificial goat, one of Queenslands worst
paedophiles and a fake Tahitian prince. His Honour has seen
it all.

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In 2008, His Honour was sworn in as the first Judge
Administrator of the District Court of Queensland and was
again appointed in 2013 for a further five years.
I note with interest that his Honours predecessor, Her
Honour Chief Judge Wolfe, highlighted his strengths as
Judge Administrator in the 2008-09 Annual Report of the
District Court when she wrote:
With the problems arising from a shortage
of judicial resources due to illness and retirements
of experienced judges, Judge OBriens administrative
workload was intense at times, especially with the grim
financial outlook placing constraints on the courts
resources.
I have the utmost confidence that, in future years, his
Honours Annual Reports will not have to refer to a shortage
of judicial resources.
His Honour has developed a reputation characterised by
patience, compassion, and dedication. These are the
qualities, combined with his extensive experience, that are
needed in assuming one of the most an important roles in
Queenslands justice system.
The Government was pleased to recommend his Honours
appointment as Chief Judge just two weeks ago.

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His Honours contribution to the legal system of the state
spans more than 40 years, including a quarter of a century
on the bench.
As Chief Judge his Honour will be able to lead the Court in a
direction of his choosing. As Chief Judge he will face the
challenges imposed by increasing demands on the judicial
system, increasing public scrutiny and increasing
technological changes.
At the same time I expect him to be as forthright and
eloquent an advocate for his Court as was his predecessor.
While government and the judiciary may not always agree, I
am sure the executive will never be in any doubt as to what
his Honour thinks.
In the face of these challenges I am confident his Honour will
respond vigorously and always be willing to champion the
interests of his Court and the people they serve.
His Honour will bring his own ideas and approaches to the
role to tackle the challenges that will confront the Court.
Only four months ago the former Chief Justice, at his farewell
address in this Court, said that the role of Chief Justice was
quintessentially demanding. The same can be said of the
role of Chief Judge of the District Court.

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A family man at heart and, from what I hear, an avid cricket
and rugby supporter, his Honours experience will bring
renewed energy to the role.
Public office brings with it great challenges and great
responsibilities. As leader of a Court these challenges and
responsibilities are magnified even above those facing a
judge.
It is only with the support of family and colleagues that these
challenges can be met and responsibilities borne.
I am confident his Honour will continue to enjoy that vital
family and professional support.
On behalf of the Government, it gives me great pleasure to
formally welcome his Honour on this important occasion.
I wish you every success in your continued service to the
people of Queensland.
May it please the Court.