High Court judge gives keynote address

A strong defender of human rights and one of Australia’s most outspoken High Court judges, the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby, will deliver a public lecture at Southern Cross University on March 30.

Justice Kirby, one of Australia’s longest serving judicial officers, will give the keynote address ‘A Decade on the High Court’ at the inaugural Michael Kirby Lecture Series, hosted by Southern Cross University’s School of Law and Justice. The lecture is being sponsored by North Coast legal firm bourke love mccartney young.

Justice Kirby is one of seven judges on the High Court, and has held the office since 1996. He has held numerous positions within the legal system, including the inaugural chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission.

He has also served in numerous international positions, including as special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Human Rights in Cambodia. He currently serves on the Human Rights Panel of UNAIDS and as rapporteur of the Judicial Integrity Group of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

In Australia, Justice Kirby has been a strong advocate for human rights and is patron of Southern Cross University’s Centre for Peace and Social Justice.

Professor Bee Chen Goh, Head of the School of Law and Justice, said the lecture series was designed to enrich the intellectual life of the University and the North Coast community.

“We aim to bring high-calibre speakers to the region for the lecture series, which will be an annual event,” Professor Goh said.

“It is wonderful to have Justice Kirby here to launch the series and to give an insight into his career with the High Court.”

Michael Young from bourke love mccartney young said his firm was privileged to be involved in bringing Justice Kirby to the region.

“The judge's visit is something that the local legal profession is very much looking forward to, and is evidence of his commitment to engage with the community and stay in touch with the concerns of people in regional areas,” Mr Young said.

The keynote address will be held on Friday, March 30 at 6pm, Whitebrook Theatre, Lismore campus. A dinner will be held at 7.30pm at the Function Room, The Plaza.

The cost of the public lecture is $15, and the lecture/dinner at $100, with the proceeds going to the Library Fund for Law. RSVP by March 16 to Sandra Underhill on 66203109 or sandra.underhill@scu.edu.au

Photo: The Honourable Justice Michael Kirby will give a public lecture at the Lismore campus on March 30.