A bit about Fr Frank Brennan SJ

Dear ,

Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO is an eminent Australian Jesuit priest with a reputation as a consistent civil rights campaigner. (Also a troublemaker - Paul Keating called him "that meddlesome priest", clearly indicating he'd like him to be murdered!)

Frank was born in Toowoomba and studied at the University of Queensland where he graduated in Arts and Law, so you might say he is a local boy made good.

He's the son of a famous lawyer - his father Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE GBS QC was an eminent Australian lawyer who became the 10th Chief Justice of the High Court. That pedigree couldn't have helped but have an effect on him.

While he is launching his book Observations on the Pell Trial at this function I'm hoping that in question time he will be prepared to stray a little and answer questions about some of his other passions. He's been a long time campaigner for Aboriginal rights.

While we'll be on opposite sides of The Voice debate, that doesn't mean I'm uninterested in his views and understanding what he thinks The Voice will, or can, achieve.

Commenting about the Pell trial Fr Brennan told The Australian "I don’t think Aborigines were treated as prejudicially by even the worst of 19th-century judges", showing some common themes run through his work.

There'll be lots more to explore, so come along this Friday for a drink and a conversation. Some of those on our mailing list may have even gone to UQ at the same time as Fr Brennan, so there might even be elements of a reunion!

The function is this Friday May 19 at 6:00 for 6:30 pm in our offices at 50 Logan Road, Woolloongabba. Cost is $25, concessions $15 with a discount for AIP members. To book click here. You can preorder his book by clicking here and selecting "pickup" for delivery.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Regards,
GRAHAM YOUNG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.