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Paul de Jersey | |
|---|---|
 Paul de Jersey in 2016 | |
| 26thGovernor of Queensland | |
| In office 29 July 2014 – 1 November 2021 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Premier | Campbell Newman Annastacia Palaszczuk |
| Preceded by | Penelope Wensley |
| Succeeded by | Jeannette Young |
| 17th Chief Justice of Queensland | |
| In office 17 February 1998 – 8 July 2014 | |
| Nominated by | Rob Borbidge |
| Appointed by | Peter Arnison representingQueen Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Peter Arnison (1997–2003) Quentin Bryce (2003–08) Penelope Wensley (2008–14) |
| Preceded by | John Macrossan |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Carmody |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1948-09-21)21 September 1948 (age 76) Brisbane,Queensland,Australia |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of Australia Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Knight of the Order of St John |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch/service | Australian Army Reserve |
| Years of service | 1966–1971 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Queensland University Regiment |
Paul de Jersey,AC, CVO, KC (born 21 September 1948) is an Australian jurist who served as the 26thgovernor of Queensland, from 29 July 2014 to 1 November 2021. He wasChief Justice of Queensland from 1998 to 2014.
De Jersey was educated atAnglican Church Grammar School (1961–1965) and theUniversity of Queensland.[1] He graduated with aBachelor of Arts and aBachelor of Laws with Honours in 1971. He was part of theQueensland University Regiment from 1966 to 1971 and was commissioned in 1969.
De Jersey practiced law in Queensland and was called to the Queensland Bar in 1971, at the age of 23. At 33, hetook silk in 1981 as aQueen's Counsel.[2]
At theBar, De Jersey practiced in the commercial field; appeared in constitutional cases before the High Court of Australia, and also appeared before theJudicial Committee of the Privy Council. He was appointed Judge of theSupreme Court of Queensland in 1985, at the age of 36, and was the commercial causes judge between 1986 and 1989.[2] De Jersey was the judge constituting theMental Health Tribunal between 1994 and 1996, the president of theQueensland Industrial Court between 1996 and 1997, and the chairman of theLaw Reform Commission of Queensland from 1996 to 1997.
De Jersey was appointed Chief Justice of Queensland on 17 February 1998, at 40 years, making him the second-youngest chief justice of Queensland, at the time.[2] He has beenChancellor of theAnglican Diocese of Brisbane since 1991. He was also Vice President of theAustralian Cancer Society between 1995 and 1998 and its president between 1998 and 2001, a trustee of the National Breast Cancer Foundation between 1994 and 1999, and the chairman of the Queensland Cancer Fund (now theCancer Council Queensland) between 1994 and 2001. He recently accepted the position of Chairman of School Council at his alma mater,Anglican Church Grammar School.[3]
De Jersey became the 26thgovernor of Queensland on 29 July 2014.[4] On the retirement ofAlex Chernov asGovernor of Victoria on 1 July 2015, de Jersey became the longest-serving sitting governor of an Australian state and by custom assumed the additional office ofAdministrator of the Commonwealth who exercises the powers of theGovernor-General of Australia in the governor-general's absence or disability.[5]
In 2017 aGerman Shepherd named Gavel was appointed as the vice-regal dog of the governor, after failing to become apolice dog due to a too friendly temperament.[6] A children's picture book was released in 2020 about his story, which was followed by his retirement in 2021.[7][8]
In November 2018, it was announced that de Jersey's original term had been extended by two years through to 29 July 2021.[9] In June 2021, it was announced that he would stay on until November to allowJeannette Young, his successor, to focus on theCOVID-19 vaccine rollout as Chief Health Officer, before taking up the role of governor.[10]
In 2022, De Jersey was appointed a judge of theCourt of Appeal of Tonga.[11]
De Jersey married Kaye Brown in 1971. Together they have three children and three grandchildren.[12] Kaye was awarded theMedal of the Order of Australia in the2025 Australia Day Honours for "service to the Crown and to the community of Queensland".[13]
| Viceregal styles of Paul de Jersey (2014–Present) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | His Excellency the Honourable |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
De Jersey's style and title as governor in full was:His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey, Companion of the Order of Australia, Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Knight of Grace of the Order of St John, Queen's Counsel, Governor of the State of Queensland in the Commonwealth of Australia.[4]
 | Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) | 12 June 2000[14] |
 | Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) | 12 June 2021[15] |
_ribbon_-vector.svg) | Knight of Grace of the Order of St John | 19 November 2014 |
 | Centenary Medal | 2003[4] |
_ribbon.png) | Australian Defence Medal |
2000: Honorary Doctorate of theUniversity of Queensland.[4] 2008: Honorary Doctorate of theUniversity of Southern Queensland.[4] 2014: Honorary Doctorate of theGriffith University.[4]
Australian Army28 July 2014 – 1 November 2021: RegimentalColonel of theRoyal Queensland Regiment.
Order of St John28 July 2014 – 1 November 2021:Deputy Prior of the Order of St John.[16]Scouts Australia28 July 2014 – 1 November 2021: Chief Scout ofScouts Australia QLD
Royal Australian Air Force17 December 2014 – 1 November 2021: HonoraryAir Commodore ofNo. 23 Squadron RAAF
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chief Justice of Queensland 1998–2014 | Succeeded by |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Queensland 2014–2021 | Succeeded by |
| BeforeFederation |  | |
|---|---|---|
| AfterFederation | ||
