Trevor Riley appointed as CDU Chancellor

The Council for Charles Darwin University has appointed the Honourable Trevor Riley AO KC as CDU’s fifth Chancellor.

Mr Riley is a respected Territorian, formerly serving as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.

Chair of the Chancellor Selection Committee and Council member Dr Ruth Schubert said, “We welcome Mr Riley as our new Chancellor. He was an outstanding candidate and brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the Northern Territory and Charles Darwin University”.

Mr Riley said he was honoured to be appointed as Chancellor and looked forward to building on CDU’s achievements and solidifying its role as the University of the Northern Territory.

“CDU is a vibrant and exciting university.  I look forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor and the University Council during these challenging and uncertain times that will concurrently present opportunities for the sector,” Mr Riley said. 

“Charles Darwin University is critical for education, training and research in the Northern Territory.  It is highly respected within Australia’s degree and vocational education sectors and attracts international students worldwide. I am committed to building on these foundations and ensuring that the University continues its strategic mission.”

Mr Riley has already had an esteemed history with CDU starting in 1991 when he was a part time lecturer in Civil Procedure, continuing through to his appointment as a University Professorial Fellow with the School of Law in 2016.

The appointment as Chancellor of the University adds to Mr Riley’s long history of service to the Northern Territory community through his legal and governance expertise.

He was appointed as Queen's Counsel in 1989, sworn in as a judge in 1999 and was also the president of the Northern Territory Bar Association between 1993 and 1997.

Mr Riley also brings extensive governance experience to the Chancellor role.  He has been Chair of various organisations, including Menzies School of Health Research, Judicial Appointments Panel, Commission of Inquiry – Alcohol Policies and Legislation Review of the Northern Territory Government, Northern Territory Electoral Redistribution Committee, Brown’s Mart Community Arts, AFL Northern Territory Appeals Board, and former long-term Board member of St John Ambulance.

The new Chancellor will succeed outgoing Chancellor The Honourable Paul Henderson, who has served the University with distinction over two terms. Mr Riley will commence as CDU Chancellor on 1 July 2025. Details regarding Mr Riley’s investiture, as CDU’s Chancellor, will be announced in the new year.