Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says it is for Queenslanders to decide whether it is appropriate for Chief Justice Tim Carmody to travel to Hamilton Island to give a speech while he's on sick leave.
The standoff between the government, the judiciary and Justice Carmody continued on Wednesday, with Ms Palaszczuk labelling it a "national issue", as the Bar Association of Queensland quelled calls for a royal commission.
Ms Palaszczuk said the Attorney-General's office had contacted Justice Carmody to arrange a meeting, but it is understood the government is still waiting on an answer.
Justice Carmody, whose 10 months in the role have been marked by controversy and dysfunction, went public with his preparedness to quit on Monday, but gave conditions which included reforming the courts and the judiciary that rejected him and "just" terms, which many have taken as a request for monetary compensation.
The 59-year-old does not qualify for the generous judicial pension for another three years, but cannot be removed by the government until his retirement, more than a decade away.
On Monday he announced he would give a speech this week that would outline his "vision" for the courts and expand on his issues with the judicary and particular members of it. He will make the speech during the $1350-a-head North Queensland Law Association conference on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays on Friday, despite having taken a month's sick leave for a back issue.
The Bar Association said criticism of the functioning of the Supreme Court was unfounded.
"There is no need for a Royal Commission," the association said in a statement.
"The criticisms are unfounded. The Judges of the Supreme Court administer justice in a thoroughly reliable, accountable and efficient manner to the best of their considerable abilities.
"The Judges (as did their predecessors) diligently, effectively and with integrity perform their roles in a transparent and accountable way, despite the challenges which the roles sometimes pose."
Ms Palaszczuk couldn't escape the issue, even in the outback, where she headed for a tourism announcement on Wednesday.
She said nothing had changed and only Justice Carmody could resolve the issue.
"We have made it very clear that the ball is in the Chief Justice's court," she said from Winton, in the state's west.
"The Attorney-General stands willing and able to meet with the Chief Justice at the earliest opportunity.
"This issue needs to be resolved. We must have confidence in the courts.
"This is now not just a Queensland issue, this has become a national issue and it must be sorted out."
As for Justice Carmody's planned attendance at the conference, for which media has been denied access by the association, Ms Palaszczuk said that was for the public to judge.
"I think it's up to Queenslanders to have their views on whether or not they think
that's appropriate."
