Tony Fitzgerald (born Gerard Edward Fitzgerald; 1941) is a prominent Australian jurist and former judge, best known for presiding over the Commission of Inquiry into Possible Illegal Activities and Associated Police Misconduct, commonly referred to as the "Fitzgerald Inquiry."
Early Life and Education
Fitzgerald was born in Brisbane, Queensland. He attended the University of Queensland, where he completed a Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar in 1964 and took silk (became a Queen's Counsel) in 1975.
The Fitzgerald Inquiry (1987–1989)
Fitzgerald’s most significant contribution to Australian public life began in 1987 when he was appointed to lead a commission of inquiry into systemic corruption within the Queensland Police Force and the state government. The inquiry was initially expected to last only a few weeks but expanded significantly as evidence of widespread bribery, political interference, and organized crime emerged.
The final report, released in 1989, led to the resignation and subsequent criminal prosecution of several high-ranking officials, including the long-serving Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen (who was tried for perjury, resulting in a hung jury) and Police Commissioner Terry Lewis (who was convicted of corruption and stripped of his knighthood). The inquiry resulted in the establishment of the Criminal Justice Commission (now the Crime and Corruption Commission) and transformed the political and judicial landscape of Queensland.
Judicial Career
Following the inquiry, Fitzgerald held several high-ranking judicial positions:
- Federal Court of Australia: He served as a judge of the Federal Court from 1981 to 1984.
- Queensland Court of Appeal: He served as the inaugural President of the Queensland Court of Appeal from 1991 to 1998.
- New South Wales Court of Appeal: He served as a Judge of Appeal in New South Wales from 2001 until his retirement from the bench in 2006.
Post-Judicial Activity
After retiring from the bench, Fitzgerald remained active in legal and social issues. In 2002, he chaired an inquiry into the welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Cape York. In 2022, he was appointed to lead a follow-up inquiry into the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission to ensure its continued effectiveness and integrity.
Honors
In 1991, Fitzgerald was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his service to law and the people of Queensland. He is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the promotion of institutional accountability and anti-corruption measures in Australian governance.
