2026 Mason Conversation with The Hon. Catherine Holmes AC SC

The Honourable Catherine Holmes AC SC is a graduate of the University of Queensland and of the Australian National University, with undergraduate degrees in Law, Arts (Hons) and Economics and a Master's degree in Law. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1982 and as a barrister in 1984. In 1999 she was appointed Senior Counsel.

Ms Holmes was a founding member of the Women's Legal Service (from 1984) and was a member of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal (1992 – 2000). From 1998 to 1999 she served as Counsel Assisting the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions.

Ms Holmes was appointed Chief Justice of Queensland in 2015 and resigned from that position in March 2022. She had previously served as a judge of the Court of Appeal (2006 – 2015) and of the Trial Division (2000 – 2006) of the Supreme Court of Queensland. In January 2020, Ms Holmes was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.

From January 2011 to March 2012, Ms Holmes was Commissioner of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry and from August 2022 to July 2023, she was the Commissioner for the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. Between February and May 2024, she undertook a review and report for the Queensland Government on the Crime and Corruption Commission’s corruption reporting functions.

About this series
The Mason Conversation is a series named in honour of Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM marking his outstanding generosity and contribution over decades to the University of New South Wales. As well as a distinguished career in the law, including as Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia (1987-95), Sir Anthony was the fifth Chancellor of the University of New South Wales between 1994 and 1999 and the inaugural Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law.

This event is co-hosted by the UNSW Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law together with the Faculty of Law & Justice.

Live Event & Venue Information
Banco Court is located on Level 13 of the Law Courts Building, 184 Phillip Street, Sydney. You can enter via Philip Street or Macquarie Street. Please note, registration for this event is for attendance in-person, this event will not be livestreamed. The event will be made available as a recording post-lecture.

Public Transport and Parking

A bus route to the city, Town Hall, Circular Quay or Wynyard will provide convenient access to all of these locations. Martin Place and St James train stations provide the closest rail access.

There are parking stations available on Elizabeth and Macquarie Streets and on St Mary's Road.

Designated parking for people with disabilities is located on Macquarie Street (3 car spaces, no time limit) and opposite the Sydney Eye Hospital in Phillip Street (2 spaces outside Wentworth Chambers, 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday) and next to the ramp entry to the Law Courts Building.

UNSW Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public
2026 marks a special milestone for the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law as we celebrate 25 years of shaping conversations that matter. For a quarter of a century the Centre has been a national leader in exploring how law, research and public institutions can work together to promote public law values and strengthen Australia’s democracy.