Significant appointments approved

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie has welcomed two significant appointments that were approved by Governor in Council today.

Mr Bleijie said Peter Dunning QC had been appointed as Queensland’s new Solicitor-General and Walter van de Merwe would be the state’s permanent Electoral Commissioner.

“Both these roles are extremely important in the maintaining and protection of our justice system and democracy,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Born and bred in Queensland, Peter Dunning QC’s knowledge and experience is vast and he will be a strong advocate and adviser for the State of Queensland.

“Mr Dunning has experience in a range of jurisdictions, including the Supreme and High Court, and he has had a wide scope of private practice, from constitutional to criminal law.

“A barrister since 1992, he has been Counsel in numerous commissions of inquiry and inquests, including the Queensland Floods Inquiry and inquests into the Lockhart River air disaster and missing American divers, Tom and Eileen Longeran.

“Mr Dunning has also served in leadership roles within the Queensland Bar Association.

“The legal profession and heads of jurisdiction were consulted during the selection process and they all support Mr Dunning’s appointment.

“I thank Mr Dunning for agreeing to serve Queensland in this important position within our justice system.”

Mr Bleijie said Walter van der Merwe would become the permanent Electoral Commissioner, after serving in an acting role at the Electoral Commission of Queensland for the past year.

“As the protector and administrator of our electoral system, the Electoral Commissioner is a very important role in our democracy,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Mr van der Merwe has an in-depth understanding of our democratic and electoral system and he is currently the Chair of the Electoral Council of Australia and New Zealand.

“He has served in senior positions within government departments under both sides of politics for well over a decade and his expertise will be of great benefit as the Government works to modernise and protect Queensland’s electoral system.

“I thank Mr van der Merwe for agreeing to continue his great and important work.”

[ENDS] 10 April 2014 

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Jaime Wells 0409 624 139