Queensland’s Attorney-General has today confirmed that Brisbane-based Justice Martin Daubney AM has resigned his commissions as a judge of the Supreme Court and President of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman today confirmed Justice Daubney had advised her that he had delivered notice of his upcoming resignation to his former judicial colleague – current Governor and former Chief Justice Paul de Jersey AC CVO.
Justice Daubney’s unexpected announcement to step down from the bench after more than 14 years was announced on Monday when QLS Proctor reported his intention to take on a new role as the fifth Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University (ACU) from 1 January 2022.
ACU Corporation President and Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane the Most Reverent Mark Coleridge BA DSS said earlier this week the elevation of a prominent Queensland identity – such as Justice Daubney – as Chancellor demonstrated the university’s true “national character”.
Ms Fentiman today described Justice Daubney as a “stalwart of the profession”, having earned a reputation for “never shying away from making tough decisions in the courtroom”.
“I would like to thank his Honour for his outstanding contribution to our Courts, his years of service to the Supreme Court and QCAT,” Ms Fentiman said. “On behalf of the Queensland Government I express my best wishes and support in all his future endeavours.
“His Honour will finish his term as QCAT President on 19 November and conclude his service as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 31 December.”
Justice Daubney, 60, is a well-known and popular member of the Australian legal community after a Queensland legal career of almost 35 years.
He was admitted as a solicitor in April 1987, admitted to the Bar in 1998 and took silk in 2000. He was appointed a judge of the Queensland Supreme Court in July 2007 and QCAT President in 2017.
Justice Daubney became a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, education and the community. His Honour was also Chair of a 2005 Royal Commission into Queensland thoroughbred racing which was charged with investigating allegations that bookmakers offered artificially inflated betting odds on races held in Queensland.
“This appointment is a great honour,” Justice Daubney said. “I thank the Corporation for entrusting me with the responsibility to serve as Chancellor of this unique national institution, which is firmly grounded in 2000 years of Catholic intellectual tradition and the Church’s engagement in university education for a millennium.
“ACU’s core commitments to the pursuit of knowledge, the dignity of the human person and the common good resonate for all Australians.”
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