George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I wonder if I might, with the indulgence of the Senate, wish the Father of the Senate a happy birthday. I hope, Senator Macdonald, because it is your birthday, Senator Wong will not be quite so rude to you today! Senator Macdonald, I can indeed advise the Senate that this morning the Prime Minister and I announced the appointment of the 13th Chief Justice of Australia, who will be the Hon. Susan Kiefel—a judge of the High Court of Australia since 2007. The appointment of any Chief Justice is a very significant moment in the history of the nation. When we consider that there are three branches of government, and this is the appointment of the head of one of the three branches of government, the appointment of a new Chief Justice of Australia is a great day in the life of the nation. If I may say so, what lends particular grace to today is the fact that this is the first woman to occupy the office of Chief Justice of Australia.

Justice Kiefel, who I have known for more than 25 years, is an eminent person who will be fine occupant of that office. I also stress that Justice Kiefel was not chosen because of her gender—Justice Kiefel was chosen because of her eminence. But her life story and this crowning accomplishment of her career just goes to show how the barriers to women, to young women and to girls in this country have broken down so significantly over recent years and decades.