Barbara Baker | |
|---|---|
 Baker in 2022 | |
| 29th Governor of Tasmania | |
| Assumed office 16 June 2021 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Premier | Peter Gutwein Jeremy Rockliff |
| Lieutenant Governor | Alan Blow (2021–24) Christopher Shanahan (2025–present) |
| Preceded by | Kate Warner |
| Judge of the Federal Circuit Court | |
| In office 27 October 2008 – 31 January 2021[1] | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Barbara Avalon Baker (1958-03-31)31 March 1958 (age 67) Hobart, Tasmania |
| Spouse | Don Chalmers |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | University of Tasmania |
| Profession | Lawyer Judge |
Barbara Avalon Baker (born 31 March 1958) is an Australianbarrister and former judge, who is the 29th and currentgovernor of Tasmania since 16 June 2021. She served on theFederal Circuit Court of Australia from 2008 to 2021. By convention, her term as governor will expire in 2026.
Baker was born on 31 March 1958 inHobart, Tasmania,[2] and raised inSandy Bay. Her parents wereAlison Burton, a tennis player, andBob Baker, a lawyer who became a Liberal member of the Tasmanian Parliament.[3] Baker studied arts and law at theUniversity of Tasmania, graduating in 1980 (BA, LLB).[2] She represented Tasmania in tennis and field hockey at under-18 level.[4]
Baker was admitted to the legal profession in 1983. She joined Simmons Wolfhagen as a solicitor and later worked for the Office of the Solicitor-General. In 1993 she became the first female partner at Murdoch Clarke.[4] As a lawyer Baker "specialised in family law and relationship matters".[5] She served on the executive of the Law Society of Tasmania (1995–1996) and as president of the Family Law Practitioners' Association (2002).[4]
In 2008, Baker was appointed to theFederal Magistrates Court of Australia, the first Tasmanian woman to serve on the court. In 2013 the court was renamed the Federal Circuit Court and its members received the title "judge" rather than magistrate. She retired from the judiciary in January 2021 and returned to practise as a barrister at Burbury Chambers.[4]
In May 2021, PremierPeter Gutwein announced that Baker would succeedKate Warner as governor of Tasmania with effect from 16 June.[6] She stated that she would "focus on gender equality and family violence issues in the community", as well as encouraging participation in sport and acting as a role model for young lawyers.[5] She also said that her personal views onthe monarchy orrepublicanism were not relevant to the position.[6]
In the2021 Queen's Birthday Honours she was appointed aCompanion of the Order of Australia.[7]
Baker is married to Don ChalmersAO, an emeritus professor of law at the University of Tasmania, and has two daughters.[4]
Baker captained Tasmania inindoor hockey. She was also an accomplishedreal tennis player, winning the singles and doubles events of the1998 Australian Open.[4]
| Lieutenant-Governors ofVan Diemen's Land |  | |
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| BeforeFederation | ||
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