Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before moving general business notice of motion No. 747, I ask that the name of Senator Ryan be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Dean Smith, Stoker, Antic, Molan, Paterson and Ryan, move:

That the Senate—

(a) recognises that 9 August 2020 marked the centenary anniversary of the death of Australian statesman Right Honourable Sir Samuel Walker Griffith, GCMG, PC, KC;

(b) notes that Sir Griffith had a distinguished career in public service (in politics government, and the judiciary); Sir Griffith:

  (i) was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly (1872-93); Attorney-General (1874-78); Leader of the Opposition (1879-83); Colonial Secretary (1883-86); Colonial Treasurer (1887-88); and Lieutenant Governor (Queensland) (1899-1903),

  (ii) served as Queensland's Premier between 1883-88 and 1890-93,

  (iii) served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland between 1893-1903, and

  (iv) was Australia's first Chief Justice of the High Court (1903-19);

(c) acknowledges the significant public contribution Sir Griffith made to our nation as a key architect of the Australian Constitution, a leading proponent of federalism, an intellectual giant in the field of jurisprudence (Originalism), and drafter of the Criminal Code of Queensland, which was also largely adopted by Western Australia; and

(d) further notes that Sir Griffith's public contribution and legacy is honoured today through the Samuel Griffith Society, its membership, and their commitment to upholding and preserving the Australian Constitution and its founding principles.

Question agreed to.