Col Bennett

Colin James Bennett (10 May 1919 – 12 June 2002) was a barrister and a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Early life Bennett was born in Townsville, Queensland, to parents Walter Henry Bennett and his wife Olive Gertrude Jessica (née Gordon). Educated at catholic and state primary schools, he then attended St Joseph's College, Nudgee in Brisbane and University of Queensland where he studied law and became chairman of the University of Queensland Students Council. After the war, Bennett joined the Commonwealth Crown Law Office, serving there for three years until he commenced his private practice as a barrister in 1948. He led the Municipal Labor Party for ten years and from 1952 until 1955 he was Vice-Mayor to Frank Roberts. He then retired as an alderman in 1961. and Merv Thackeray, he was disendorsed before the 1972 state election. Bennett stood as an independent and gained 19.6 percent of the vote but was defeated by the official Labor candidate, Fred Bromley.

In 1962, allegations of corruption were raised about the Queensland Police Force, and in particular, Commissioner Frank Bischof. Bennett weighed into the debate amid public complaints and the lack of responsible action from Bischof. A Royal Commission was held to investigate these claims, in particular, the issue of prostitution being conducted from the National Hotel in Brisbane. A report was tabled in April 1964 but one year later Bennett again raised issues of police misconduct and was subsequently suspended from the house for 5 days. As well as his political activity, Bennett was involved in many other associations.

Bennett Chambers Group, a Barristers’ Chambers, located on Level 6 of the Inns of Court building, Brisbane, was named in Colin Bennett's memory. The Chambers seeks to espouse Bennett's philosophy that all people are deserving of legal representation and that a level playing field in law only existed where well trained and committed barristers were prepared to vigorously advance their clients interests.