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Sir William Deane

The Honourable
Sir William Deane
AC, KBE, QC
William Deane cropped.jpg
Sir William Deane makes the official opening speech at the 2000 Summer Paralympics Opening Ceremony
22nd Governor-General of Australia
In office
16 February 1996 – 29 June 2001
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
Nominated by Malcolm Fraser
Preceded by Ninian Stephen
Succeeded by Michael Kirby
Personal details
Born (1931-01-04) 4 January 1931 (age 86)
Melbourne, Victoria
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.


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