The Honourable Sir William Deane AC, KBE, QC |
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Sir William Deane makes the official opening speech at the 2000 Summer Paralympics Opening Ceremony
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22nd Governor-General of Australia | |
In office 16 February 1996 – 29 June 2001 |
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Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Prime Minister |
Paul Keating (1996) John Howard (1996–01) |
Preceded by | Bill Hayden |
Succeeded by | Peter Hollingworth |
Justice of the High Court of Australia | |
In office 25 June 1982 – 11 November 1995 |
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Nominated by | Malcolm Fraser |
Preceded by | Ninian Stephen |
Succeeded by | Michael Kirby |
Personal details | |
Born |
Melbourne, Victoria |
4 January 1931
Spouse(s) | Helen Russell |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | University of Sydney |
Profession |
Lawyer Judge |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Sir William Patrick Deane AC, KBE, QC (born 4 January 1931) is a former Australian judge and was the 22nd Governor-General of Australia (1996–2001).
William Deane was born in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. He was educated at Catholic schools, including St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, and at the University of Sydney, where he graduated in arts and law. He also attended the Hague Academy of International Law.
After graduation, Deane worked in the federal Attorney-General's Department in Canberra and at the law firm Minter Simpson (later to become Minter Ellison). He also travelled to Europe to study international law. He was called to the Sydney Bar in 1957 and also lectured in law at university.
During this time, Deane was active in the Catholic community and showed an interest in politics. In 1955 he briefly became a member of the Democratic Labor Party, a predominantly Catholic and anti-Communist breakaway from the Australian Labor Party. He soon became disillusioned with the party and played no further part in active politics, but he was strongly influenced by progressive Catholic doctrines of social justice and of opposition to racial discrimination.