Justice Thomas Bradley KC has been sworn in as Queensland’s 28th governor, replacing Dr Jeannette Young. In an address on Sunday, the Court of Appeal judge described the appointment as a “tremendous honour” and said he looked forward to engaging with communities across the state.
Bradley, born in Cairns and a Queen’s Counsel, was a sitting judge of the Supreme Court since 2018 and was appointed to the Court of Appeal by the Crisafulli government in March last year. He was announced as the next governor in August.
The governor role does not have a fixed term, but representatives typically serve about five years. Bradley noted his term will cover the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, describing an opportunity to showcase Queensland.
He listed towns and cities he has visited with his partner Matthew Young this year, saying they aimed to spend as much time outside Brisbane as in it. “Over the next few years, we will meet people, and we will honour achievements in those and in many other communities across the state, large and small,” Bradley said.
Bradley also spoke about the Olympics: “In the coming years, we will understand more of the best that the world has to offer in sport, in thought, culture and in values. In the same conversation, the world will learn that in each of those fields, some of the best is already here in Queensland.”
Premier David Crisafulli acknowledged Bradley’s lifelong commitment to public service, saying his career achievements would bring value to the role. “These duties call for sound judgment, integrity, and an instinct for treating people with respect,” Crisafulli said.
Opposition leader Steven Miles highlighted Bradley’s cultural accolades, including his role as an ambassador for the Pinnacle foundation, an LGBTQIA+ education charity, his work on the Brisbane Festival Giving Committee, and as chair of the Brisbane Writers Festival. “I think there is one thing all of us can agree on: is that representation matters,” Miles said, adding that Queensland is stronger when public roles reflect its citizens.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The governor is the King’s representative and plays a ceremonial and constitutional role in Queensland.
- Bradley’s term will coincide with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, offering a platform to promote the state.
- His appointment continues a tradition of judicial appointments to the role, bringing legal expertise.
Background
The governor of Queensland is the representative of the monarch and performs duties such as giving royal assent to legislation, appointing ministers, and representing the state at official events. Bradley, a Court of Appeal judge, has a background in law and the arts.
Key Perspectives
- David Crisafulli (Premier): Praised Bradley’s lifelong public service and career achievements, saying his sound judgment and integrity would serve the role.
- Steven Miles (Opposition leader): Emphasised Bradley’s cultural accolades and the importance of representation in public roles.
What to Watch
- How Bradley balances his time between Brisbane and regional Queensland, as he pledged to spend as much time outside the capital.
- His engagement with the 2032 Olympics preparations.
- Any formal events or decisions that will test his role in the lead-up to the Games.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThomas Bradley was sworn in as Queensland’s 28th governor.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Queensland’s 28th governor Thomas Bradley sworn in.”
- SupportedBradley replaced Dr Jeannette Young in a ceremony at Government House.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Justice Thomas Bradley KC has been sworn in as Queensland’s 28th governor in a ceremony at Government House on Sunday. The Court of Appeal judge will replace Dr Jeannette Young”
- SupportedBradley described the appointment as a “tremendous honour” in an address on Sunday.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “In an address to attendees on Sunday, Bradley described the appointment as a “tremendous honour””
- SupportedBradley said he looked forward to engaging with communities across the state.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “said he looked forward to engaging with people across the state”
- SupportedBradley said: “Over the next few years, we will meet people, and we will honour achievements in those and in many other communities across the state, large and small.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““Over the next few years, we will meet people, and we will honour achievements in those and in many other communities across the state, large and small,” Bradley said.”
- SupportedBradley said the world would learn that some of the best in sport, thought, culture and values was already in Queensland.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““In the coming years, we will understand more of the best that the world has to offer in sport, in thought, culture and in values. “In the same conversation, the world will learn that in each of those fields, some of the best is already here in Queensland.””
- SupportedCrisafulli said: “These duties call for sound judgment, integrity, and an instinct for treating people with respect.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““These duties call for sound judgment, integrity, and an instinct for treating people with respect,” he said.”
- SupportedMiles said: “I think there is one thing all of us can agree on: is that representation matters.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““I think there is one thing all of us can agree on: is that representation matters,” Miles said.”
- SupportedBradley was born in Cairns.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Bradley was born in Cairns and attended school at Clairvaux College in Brisbane.”
- SupportedBradley was a Queen’s Counsel.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Three years after becoming a barrister, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel, a title held by senior, highly experienced barristers.”
- SupportedBradley had been a sitting Supreme Court judge since 2018.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “He had been a sitting judge of the Supreme Court since 2018”
- SupportedThe Crisafulli government appointed Bradley to the Court of Appeal in March last year, and he was announced as Queensland’s next governor in August.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Crisafulli government appointed Bradley to the Court of Appeal in March last year. He was announced as Queensland’s next government in August.”