Who we are
Who is the Public Guardian?
Queensland’s Public Guardian is an independent statutory officer responsible for protecting and promoting the rights, interests, and wellbeing of some of Queensland’s most vulnerable people.
These include:
- Adults with impaired decision-making ability.
- Children and young people in out-of-home care, youth detention, or other specific settings.
Although the Public Guardian is appointed and funded by the Queensland Government, the role is independent. This ensures that the Public Guardian’s decisions and actions are made solely in the best interests of those they support, free from government or other external influence.
The Public Guardian is supported by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and serves as its chief executive. This independence allows the Public Guardian to prioritise the needs of vulnerable clients above all other interests, including those of government and non-government organisations.
To learn more about the responsibilities and functions of the Public Guardian, visit what we do.
Meet the Public Guardian
Shayna Smith — Public Guardian
Shayna Smith is the Public Guardian and Chief Executive of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Shayna joined OPG as Deputy Public Guardian in 2015 and was appointed as the Public Guardian in June 2021.
The Public Guardian is an independent statutory appointment of the Queensland Government and is vested with promoting and protecting the rights and interests of children at visitable locations, and adults with impaired decision-making capacity under the Public Guardian Act 2014, the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 and the Powers of Attorney Act 1998.
Shayna is a senior government executive and her career spans more than 25 years across the public and private sectors, both in Australia and internationally, particularly across the areas of justice, education and consumer protection. Shayna holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. She is an admitted solicitor to both the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.
Meet the Deputy Public Guardians
Lisa Pritchard — Deputy Public Guardian
Lisa Pritchard has been a Deputy Public Guardian at the Office of the Public Guardian since November 2021. Her extensive experience spans both the United Kingdom and Queensland public sectors, with expertise in:
- Policy and legislation development and implementation.
- Operational service delivery.
- Health and human services consumer protection.
- Professional regulation, compliance, and complaints handling.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) and is admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Queensland. She is also a member of the Queensland Carers Advisory Council.
Kylie Phipps — Deputy Public Guardian
Kylie Phipps serves as the Deputy Public Guardian for Community Visiting and Advocacy (CVA) and Corporate Services where she oversees critical functions that support the rights and wellbeing of some of Queensland’s most vulnerable individuals. She works closely with Corporate Services to ensure the systems and structures are in place to enable OPG teams to deliver their legislative functions effectively. In her Community Visiting and Advocacy portfolio, Kylie supports teams advocating for children, young people, and adults, ensuring their rights are upheld and protected. She also represents OPG on governance boards within the Department of Justice.
With a career spanning government and community sectors, Kylie brings a wealth of experience in child protection and youth justice. She began her career as a Child Safety Officer, progressing through leadership roles in practice and system reform, statewide implementation and review processes. Notably, she led the implementation of a strengths-based Practice Framework in Child Safety and spearheaded reforms to strengthen First Nations workforce representation and strengthening responses for First Nations children and families. Her time with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak was a period of deep learning, where she supported key reforms, including the growth of the community-controlled sector. Kylie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, and an Executive Master of Public Administration through ANZSOG and Griffith University.
Kylie’s leadership philosophy is grounded in curiosity, relational connection, and a commitment to collective improvement. She is passionate about fostering a culturally safe and inclusive organisation, particularly for First Nations team members, and strengthening the quality of services delivered to First Nations communities and vulnerable communities across Queensland. Born in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and raised in Papua New Guinea, Kylie’s diverse upbringing and personal experiences, including her time as a foster carer, have shaped her reflective and values-driven approach to leadership.
What sets the Public Guardian apart?
The independence of the Public Guardian, supported by a highly skilled team and Deputy Public Guardians, ensures that the we remain a trusted advocate for Queenslanders who need it most.
If you would like to know more about the work we do, visit what we do.