Friday 18 August 2017, Port Douglas President’s closing remarks Good afternoon. “The first thing we must do is kill all the lawyers!” To a crowded Supreme Court earlier this year I gave a speech opening with that line: “The first thing we must do is kill all the lawyers.”  Just like you today, I witnessed gasps from the bench infused with […]

Thursday 17 August 2017, Port Douglas President’s welcome Good afternoon. I would like to formally acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of this reputable part of Queensland that we are all meeting on, the beautiful country where rainforest meets the sea. I am advised that Port Douglas is the northern most part the Yirganydji saltwater Djubaki people would traverse. It was […]

Friday 11 August 2017, Law Society House President’s welcome speech “Democracy … is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder; and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.”- so said Plato; Winston Churchill on the other hand noted that Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. A bit cynical, […]

Friday 11 August 2017, Law Society House President’s closing speech Good afternoon. I hope you have all had a great time here today, and that the sessions were thought-provoking and valuable. I haven’t worked in government but am informed by ex-government lawyers here at QLS that the best way to get a feel for what it is like is to […]

Friday 21 July 2017, Mantra Twin Towns President’s keynote address Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this event is taking place, and pay respect to the elders past and present who play the unique role in the life of this region. “The first thing we must do is kill all the lawyers!” […]

Friday 14 July 2017, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast President’s dinner speech “The first thing we must do is kill all the lawyers!” Good evening – are you all having a good night so far? Thank you for having me tonight – I look forward to chatting with you later and am keen to see you all kicking up […]

Thursday 13 July 2017, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast President’s welcome speech I now have the opportunity to share with you the wonderful work that the Society – and all of you – have been carrying out this year in the family law space. This annual event provides a great opportunity for Queensland’s solicitors working in family law to […]

Friday 7 July 2017, Law Society House President’s opening address Thank you Rachel. Good morning everyone and welcome to the QLS Essentials Conference 2017- thank you to sponsor legalsuper for their support today. Looking at the program it is going to be a great day, because in addition to being highly relevant, this is also a program ripe with optimism […]

Wednesday 5 July 2017, Law Society House President’s opening address I would like to formally open the launch with a special Acknowledgment of Country. I have found throughout this journey that the most powerful and inspirational Acknowledgment of Country is one that is personalised and reflects the paths, inroads, struggles and history of our First Nations peoples. It is with […]

Friday 28 April 2017, 9am Brisbane Magistrates Court May it please the court. I am honoured to be here today to welcome, on behalf of the 11, 000 Solicitors of Queensland, your honours magistrates Mark Howden, Andrew Sinclair and Robbie Davies. All three are welcome additions to this busy and important court. It is oft said that the magistrates court […]