Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said Mr Reilly was a highly respected legal practitioner and public servant who brings strong skills and experience to the role.

“Anthony Reilly has built a career representing Queenslanders in the [state’s] legal system and serving the public,” the Attorney-General D’Ath said.

“He has over a decade’s experience working in the community legal sector, providing an important voice to vulnerable Queenslanders.

“Anthony Reilly will continue the strong role the [ombudsman] has traditionally performed in representing the interests of Queenslanders.”

Since 2009 Mr Reilly has served as CEO of Legal Aid Queensland, leading the delivery of legal services to financially disadvantaged people across the state.

He has been playing an active role recently organising legal aid services and resources for affected Queenslanders during COVID-19. 

Mr Reilly previously also held key leadership roles in a number of government departments and agencies including Queensland Health, Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Public Safety Business Agency.

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The Attorney-General also paid tribute to outgoing ombudsman Mr Clarke for his almost 10 years of service.

“Phil Clarke has been an outstanding [ombudsman] and I thank him for his service and wish him all the best for the future,” she said.

The ombudsman is a free and independent complaints assessment and investigation service, available to Queenslanders. 

It investigates complaints about the actions and decisions of state government departments and agencies (including state schools and TAFE), local councils and public universities.  

The ombudsman also has oversight of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 and has statutory authority to seek improvements to the quality of decision-making and administrative practice in government agencies. 

Voting is now open for The Lawyers Weekly Award, to be presented to one individual for making substantial, consequential achievements in advancing the Australian legal profession since 2000.

Finalists for this prestigious award have been confirmed as those listed below. To vote for your preferred winner, click here. 

Julian Burnside AO QC (barrister)

Bernard Collaery (barrister, former Attorney-General of the ACT)

Kate Eastman SC (barrister and co-founder, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights)

The Honourable Robert French AC (former chief justice, High Court of Australia)

Sue Kench (global chief executive, King & Wood Mallesons)

The Honourable Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC (chief justice, High Court of Australia)

The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG (former justice, High Court of Australia)

Jane Needham SC (barrister and former president, NSW Bar Association)

Geoffrey Robertson AO QC (barrister)

Professor Gillian Triggs (assistant secretary-general, United Nations and former president, Australian Human Rights Commission)