Attorney-General applauds new USQ Law School

Attorney-General and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine has welcomed the launch of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Law School in Brisbane today.

Mr Shine said the establishment of the USQ Law School would benefit the practice of the law in Queensland.

“Queensland is a highly decentralised State and legal professional practice law in all parts of our State,” Mr Shine said.

“By offering law by external studies, the University will be allowing law firms to recruit and train young people in their local areas.”

Mr Shine said as a former regional practitioner, he has first-hand experience of the difficulty regional law firms have in attracting solicitors and trainees to their areas.

“The offer of a Law degree on the Toowoomba campus and externally will greatly assist those firms and practitioners,” Mr Shine said.

“The offer of law at Springfield campus is an important initiative with the growth in the State’s south-east corner.”

“It will also assist firms in the region to recruit local trainees and provide opportunities for local students with an interest and passion for the law.”

Law degrees combined with Arts, Commerce and Business will be offered on-campus at the USQ Toowoomba and Springfield campuses as well as externally from semester two 2007.

The straight Law program will begin in semester one 2008 and will include elective specialisations in commercial law, general practice, natural resource law and international law.

“When the first graduates of the University of Southern Queensland Law School apply to become lawyers and solicitors in 2012, they will make history. I have no doubt they will also make a difference,” Mr Shine said.

Mr Shine said the launch of the USQ Law School was an important milestone for the University, which celebrates 40 years of educational excellence this year.

Mr Shine was joined by Chief Justice of Queensland The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, USQ Chancellor Bobbie Brazil and USQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove at the official launch of the LawSchool.

9 May 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au