Justice Kirby Public Lecture 2024
On Monday 29 July 2024, the Centre for Law and Social Justice hosted The Hon. Michael Kirby for a public lecture titled, 'What it is like being on the High Court of Australia' at Newcastle City Hall.
The public lecture was opened with a Welcome to Country delivered by Aunty Tracey Hanshaw, Awabakal/Geawegal Aboriginal Elder. Justice Kirby thanked Aunty Tracey for her Welcome to Country and remarked, ‘let there be no more light-hearted Welcome to Country, it is a serious time for reflection for us Australians who have been neglectful of the rights of the First Nations peoples.’
The lecture provided an insider perspective on Justice Kirby's time on the bench and the cases which had the most profound impact on his perspectives of justice and human rights. Audience members were taken on a journey which followed his early life as a lawyer leading workers compensation cases, to his reflections on his appointment to the High Court of Australia. The University of Newcastle Law Students’ Association (UNLSA) convened a Q&A following the public lecture, chaired by Sophie O’Brien, Equity & Education Vice-President (UNLSA). During the Q&A Justice Kirby reflected on cases and decisions which impacted his judicial career, the role that global institutions play in promoting and enforcing human rights, and how the concept of justice has evolved over time – including the identification of future challenges that jurists, lawyers, and advocates may face.
Justice Kirby offered in-depth reflections on the cases of Al-Kateb v Godwin [2005] and Wurridjal v The Commonwealth [2009]. In addition, Justice Kirby identified B v the Minister of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2004] as a case which challenged his personal beliefs and values. Justice Kirby reflected that despite his personal perspective which opposed the indefinite detention of children, ‘the law was clearly intended to apply to children, it was in the power of the constitution and therefore had to be given effect – that was one of the cases where I had a conflict and I resolved it, as a judge under the rule of law.’
Justice Kirby inspired practitioners, students, and attendees by imploring the audience to ‘ask yourself – what are the problems our generation need to ask about the law. There are injustices out there that we need to identify and unveil.’
The public lecture was attended by 150 people in person with 40 people joining the livestream online. Notable attendees included City of Newcastle Councillor Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk. The University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Alex Zelinsky and College of Human and Social Futures Pro-Vice Chancellor, Robert Greenberg, joined Justice Kirby following the public engagement for a lunch alongside UNLSA representatives and School of Law and Justice staff.
The Centre for Law and Social Justice and School of Law and Justice extends its upmost gratitude to the Hon. Michael Kirby for his on-going support of the University of Newcastle. The Centre hopes to have an opportunity to host Justice Kirby again in 2025.
The recording of the full lecture can be accessed here.
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Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.