Two high-profile Queensland barristers who are QUT alumni have been appointed judges of the Supreme Court.
Lincoln Crowley QC becomes the first Indigenous Australian Supreme Court judge while Melanie Hindman QC joins the bench from a distinguished career in construction and infrastructure law.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Attorney General Shannon Fentiman made a joint announcement last Friday.
“I congratulate Mr Crowley and Ms Hindman on their appointments. They are both outstanding individuals who have a lot to offer the Supreme Court of Queensland,” the Premier said in a statement.
Mr Crowley holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (1999) from QUT and is the latest in a series of QUT Indigenous Australian alumni to break barriers in the law profession.
In 2021, QUT School of Law celebrated the largest graduating cohort of First Nations students in its history.
QUT Provost and Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Nic Smith reiterated QUT support of the vision of a reconciled nation.
“QUT’s Indigenous Australian law alumni have achieved many firsts and are continuing to make outstanding contributions to the law and legal profession,” QUT Provost and Acting Vice Chancellor Nic Smith said.
“These alumni include Tony McAvoy SC, Australia’s first Indigenous Australian Senior Counsel, Jacqui Payne, Queensland’s first Indigenous Australian magistrate and Nathan Jarro, Queensland’s first Indigenous Australian Judge of the District Court.
“QUT is extremely proud of all our Indigenous Australian alumni who are collectively achieving real-world success across a wide range of fields.”
Ms Hindman QC graduated with a double degree Bachelor of Applied Science (Physics) and Bachelor of Laws in 1999. She completed her Master of Laws in 2003.
Professor Smith said the appointments were fitting recognition to both lawyers’ significant expertise, dedication, and experience.
Ms Hindman joined the bench this week and Mr Crowley will begin on June 13, 2022.
Media contact:
QUT Media, 07 3138 3151, media@qut.edu.au
