Justice Thomas Bradley has been sworn in as Queensland's 28th governor in a ceremony at the state's parliament on Sunday (1 November), ABC News reported. He replaces Dr Jeannette Young, who was sworn in as the 27th Governor on 1 November 2021, according to the Queensland Government's notice for the ceremony.

The appointment was approved by the King and announced by Premier David Crisafulli on 4 August, in a ministerial statement that also set the 1 November swearing-in date. Justice Bradley was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 3 December 2018 and to the Court of Appeal on 31 March 2025, the statement says.

Olympic Motto and Communities Across Queensland

In his first address as governor, Justice Bradley said he and his partner, Dr Matthew Yoong, looked forward to engaging with people across Queensland. "We aim to spend as much time out of Brisbane as we spend in it," he said. "To help harness the wisdom, the skill and the goodwill that is in every community as we all answer the call of the Olympic motto, which is to go faster, higher and stronger, together."

Brisbane Times reported that Bradley described the appointment as a "tremendous honour" and noted that his term will capture the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which he described as an opportunity to showcase Queensland to the world. "In the same conversation, the world will learn that in each of those fields, some of the best is already here in Queensland," he said. The governor appointment does not have a fixed term, but representatives typically spend about five years in the role, the newspaper reported.

Premier David Crisafulli said the appointment marked a "significant moment" for Queensland and that Justice Bradley's experience in the law had given him "strong preparation" for the office. "You have encountered people at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. You have listened to them, weighed decision of profound consequence and helped bring resolution," he said, according to the ABC. "These duties call for sound judgment, integrity, and an instinct for treating people with respect," Brisbane Times quoted him as saying.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles said the state was stronger when people in public roles reflected the community. "I think there is one thing all of us can agree on: is that representation matters," Miles said. Star Observer reported that Bradley is the first openly gay person to hold the office, describing it as a milestone for LGBTQIA+ representation in the state.

Career in the Law and the Arts

Born in Cairns, Justice Bradley was educated at St Bernard's School and Clairvaux College and graduated from The University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Laws, according to the Premier's statement. He was admitted as a barrister on 31 July 2000 and appointed Queen's Counsel on 14 November 2013.

The government's notice says he has served on the Council of the National Library of Australia and the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation Committee, and chaired the Brisbane Festival Giving Committee, the Brisbane Writers Festival and Access Arts. He was also the first Queensland-based ambassador for the Pinnacle Foundation, an LGBTQIA+ education charity.

Governor Role a Privilege

Outgoing governor Dr Jeannette Young, who served as Queensland's chief health officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, said she departed the role with a "profound sense of gratitude and pride". "Serving the people of Queensland as governor has been one of the greatest honours and privileges of my life," she said.

Dr Young said she had travelled to all 77 local government areas in Queensland and visited each of the state's public hospitals, the ABC reported. She granted royal assent to 168 pieces of legislation, attended 257 consecutive council meetings and welcomed more than 114 diplomatic representatives from overseas, and said government house had welcomed more than 100,000 visitors during her time in the role.