ACU Chancellor

The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC KSG

The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC KSG has served as Chancellor of Australian Catholic University since 1 January 2022.

His appointment to this role followed his judicial career, in which he served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland from 13 July 2007 to 31 December 2021 and as President of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal from October 2017 until November 2021.

Mr Daubney was educated at Downlands College, Toowoomba, the Yarra Theological Union (Diploma of Theological Studies), and the University of Queensland (Arts/Law). Initially a solicitor, he was admitted to the Bar in 1988. In 2000 he was appointed Senior Counsel (now King's Counsel). In addition to an extensive practice as a commercial barrister, Mr Daubney became prominent as a mediator, particularly in commercial disputes. Before his appointment to the bench, Mr Daubney served on the Council of the Bar Association of Queensland for more than 10 years in various roles, including as President from July 2006 until his appointment to the Supreme Court.

He has served on a wide range of community and philanthropic boards, including two terms on the Senate of the University of Queensland. Since 2020 he has been appointed as a member of the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees.

Mr Daubney served on the Brisbane Archdiocesan Finance Council for 16 years, including 6 years as Chair. He was National Vice-President and Queensland Chair of the Australian Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (2009-2014; 2016-2017).

Among his awards and honours are the prestigious Australian Insurance Law Association Prize (2017) and the 2019 Colleges' UQ Alumni Award. He is a Fellow of King's College UQ. In 2018 Mr Daubney was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, to education, and to the community.

In 2026, Mr Daubney was honoured with the award of a papal knighthood as a Knight of St Gregory the Great.

As Chancellor of ACU Mr Daubney is committed to ensuring effective corporate governance practices and strategic management in leading the ACU Senate and supporting the Vice-Chancellor and President and senior university management. He actively represents ACU across the broader community and works closely with stakeholders to ensure that ACU remains true to its mission, strong sense of identity, and distinctive Catholic vision.