Former deputy premier takes over as Griffith University’s sixth Chancellor

The former right-hand man to ex-Premier Anna Bligh now leads Griffith University and has taken a swipe at “book-burns, bigots, zealots” and Elon Musk’s Twitter in his opening speech.

Griffith University's sixth Chancellor Andrew Fraser is officially installed in the top job during a ceremony on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Picture: Supplied

The former right-hand man to ex-Premier Anna Bligh now leads Griffith University and has taken a swipe at “book-burns, bigots, zealots” and Elon Musk’s Twitter in his opening speech.

Former Queensland Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser was officially installed as Griffith’s sixth Chancellor last week and is the first alumnus to serve in the top job.

In his eight-year political career, Mr Fraser served as treasurer for four-and-a-half years and as deputy premier in his final six months.

In the March 2012 state election, Mr Fraser suffered a heavy loss in his Mount Coot-Tha seat and the Bligh-Labor government suffered a landslide loss to the Campbell Newman-led LNP.

Chancellor Andrew Fraser with Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans. Picture: Supplied

In his inaugural address as Chancellor on Tuesday, Mr Fraser spoke of the attack on the truth.

“Getting published – in a book, journal or masthead paper – is no longer the same rite of passage when it can be done at home for nothing, without the review of your peers,” he said.

“This has consequences for society, for our public discourse and for the (Griffith) Academy.

“Previously, ideas might have taken decades to hone and centuries to embed.

“We live in an era of warp-speed ideas today. Bylines and even blue ticks don’t matter like they used to. Bad ideas can spread quickly.

“Book-burners, bigots and zealots have forever sought to discredit the Academy and those who seek to speak and write truth.

Andrew Fraser at last week’s ceremony. Picture: Supplied

“Today the attack on truth goes further, to governments, to the media, to the institutions of standing, like courts.

“Don’t mistake my point, none are immutable, and all need to be questioned.

“But truth cannot be the first casualty of accountability.”

Post politics, Mr Fraser has been the chair of Brisbane-founded laundry charity Orange Sky for the past three years, and the president of Motorsport Australia for almost four years.

He joined the Griffith University Council in 2017 before being elected deputy chancellor last year. He replaces Henry Smerdon as Chancellor, after he retired in September.

Mr Fraser grew up in Proserpine in north Queensland and is already a Griffith University medallist and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce in 1999.

He met several important people in his life during his Griffith University days. These included political colleague and Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the lifelong friend who would introduce him to his future wife, the friend who would be his best man at his wedding, and the person who would serve as his first ministerial chief of staff.