Appointment secures Queensland’s representation on High Court

The Queensland Government has welcomed the appointment of Brisbane-based Federal Court Judge, Justice Susan Kiefel, tonight to the upcoming vacancy on the High Court of Australia.

Premier Peter Beattie and Attorney-General Kerry Shine said Justice Kiefel would be the first Queensland woman to serve on the High Court, and the first former Queensland Supreme Court Judge elevated to Australia’s highest court in almost 40 years.

“I applaud the decision to appoint Justice Kiefel to the High Court. Justice Kiefel is widely respected in the Queensland judiciary and legal profession for her contribution to the administration of justice in our State,” Mr Beattie said.

“Justice Kiefel was appointed to the Federal Court in 1994 following her appointment to the Supreme Court of Queensland a year earlier, in 1993. “

“Justice Kiefel was admitted to the Bar in 1975 and in 1987, she became the first Queensland woman to be appointed Queen’s Counsel.”

Mr Shine said Justice Kiefel would be only the seventh Queenslander to sit on the bench of the High Court, and she would replace the retiring Justice Ian Callinan, a fellow former Queensland barrister.

“I have lobbied strongly for a Queenslander to replace Justice Callinan, and I am pleased the Federal Government has responded by appointing Justice Kiefel,” Mr Shine said.

“All Queenslanders who have sat on the High Court have served with it distinction, with three (Sir Samuel Griffith, Sir Harry Gibbs and Sir Gerard Brennan) serving as Chief Justice.”

The last former Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland appointed to the High Court was the late Sir Harry Gibbs in 1970. Gibbs served on the Supreme Court from 1961 to 1967.

13 August 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au