11 Facts About Gerard Brennan

Gerard Brennan was the son of Frank Tenison Brennan, a Labor Party politician, lawyer and judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Gerard Brennan is notable for his landmark judgement in Waltons v Maher, which established equitable estoppel as a cause of action in itself.

Gerard Brennan was appointed by prime minister Paul Keating to become the 10th Chief Justice of Australia in 1995.

Gerard Brennan was an honorary visiting professor of law at the University of New South Wales.

In June 2021, Gerard Brennan intervened in a public debate over a family of asylum seekers, supporting the family with a letter in major newspapers.

Gerard Brennan is known for his involvement in the Wik debate when Paul Keating referred to him as "the meddling priest".

Gerard Brennan died on 1 June 2022 in Sydney, aged 94, two days before Mabo Day and the 30th anniversary of the Mabo decision.

In 1981, Gerard Brennan was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and, in 1988, appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the law.

Gerard Brennan was a life fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.

Gerard Brennan served as chancellor of the University of Technology, Sydney, from 1998 to 2004.

In 2013, Gerard Brennan was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.