Queensland's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie has been named winner of QUT's Outstanding Alumni Award for the Faculty of Law at a special ceremony in Brisbane today.
Mr Bleijie was elected MP for Kawana on the Sunshine Coast in 2009 and was appointed to the Queensland ministry following the 2012 Queensland election.
As Attorney-General, Mr Bleijie has been responsible for a number of important reforms in Queensland.
Under his watch Bills dealing with Succession to the Crown, Criminal Proceeds Confiscation, Commercial Arbitration and Child Sex Offenders have been passed or amended resulting in key reforms and toughening of laws relating to sex offences and organised crime.
He has also been involved with the enacting of new laws in the area of graffiti offences and the manufacture of dangerous new synthetic drugs. A new R18+ classification has been introduced for computer games.
Mr Bleijie, who holds a Bachelor of Laws from QUT, has also overseen the launch of the Domestic Violence Assistant Support Service (DVASS) providing access to legal advice and support for both men and women.
He has also established Commissions of Inquiry into Queensland's Child Protection system and the implementation of the Health Payroll system.
Prior to his election to Parliament, Mr Bleijie practiced business, corporate and property law with respected Sunshine Coast firm Sajen Legal.
Mr Bleijie is an active member of the Sunshine Coast community where he is involved in a number of local organisations including Rotary, the Lions Club, Sunshine Coast Youth Partnership Inc, Kawana Soccer Club, Kawana Waters Surf Lifesaving Club, Amputee Support Association Sunshine Coast Inc and Caloundra Chorale.
The Outstanding Alumni Awards recognise outstanding graduates of the university and its predecessor institutions, who have displayed exceptional professional, academic or research achievements and contributions to the community.
Media contacts:
- Sandra Hutchinson, QUT media officer (Tue/Wed), 07 3138 9449 or media@qut.edu.au
- Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 07 3138 2361
