The state’s newest Industrial Commissioner, Peter O’Neill, has taken to the role “like a duck to water”, according to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission President.
The Honourable Peter Davis, who is also President of the Industrial Court of Queensland, led yesterday’s official welcome ceremony in Brisbane for Industrial Commissioner O’Neill who was sworn into the role late last year.
“Commissioner O’Neill was actually sworn in on 23 September 2024 and began work immediately,” the President said.
“A welcome should rightly occur before the new appointee becomes part of the established fabric, but perhaps those involved should have known Commissioner O’Neill has taken to the role like a duck takes to water, and he is now very settled in.
“We somewhat belatedly then welcome Commissioner O’Neill.”
The ceremony was held in Brisbane.
President Davis said Commissioner O’Neill, who was a practising barrister for more than 30 years, brought “industry and clarity of expression even in times when the issues at hand were complex”.
Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie also welcomed Commissioner O’Neill and apologised for the delay.
“Your appointment was followed, as we all know, by a caretaker convention, an election, a new government and Christmas,” he said.
“But at last we are here, I am however reliably informed that you have settled in well into the Commission and got straight to work despite the delay in the official welcome ceremony.”
Commissioner O’Neill said he was “a fairly reluctant recipient of a welcome ceremony and that Deputy Premier helps to explain the delay”.
“But it was clearly put into context for me by a couple of my colleagues this week who said to me it may probably be the first and last time that people are lining up to say nice things about me,” he said.
“Over time I came to the realisation that you do not have the good fortune to be appointed to a role like this without there being a host of people who have provided support, encouragement and mentorship that should be acknowledged.
“So today’s not really about me. Today’s about acknowledging the people who supported me … and that’s what I intend to do.”
Among those he thanked were his late parents Ray and Maureen, who were “good, honest, hard-working people and you could not ask for better role models”.
“They both had a history of service for the state (his mother was a nurse in North Queensland and his father was a police officer for 37 years). Being given the opportunity to follow their example, and also serve, is something that I very much value.”
QLS President Genevieve Dee spoke at the ceremony.
Queensland Law Society President Genevieve Dee said: “Commissioner, your many appearances in this jurisdiction in appeals concerning decisions of the Workers’ Compensation Regulator will no doubt provide you with invaluable insight into what can be an emotional and confronting occasion for workers and employers, involving complex factual matrices.
“You bring a wealth of experience to the role, your many years of dedicated work at the bar has been lauded and is a testament to your commitment as an advocate and your learned legal and practical abilities. Your appointment as an Industrial Commissioner reflects your professional excellence, integrity, and the regard in which you are held.”
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