Hon Justice Michael
Kirby AC CMG

Speaker Profile

Australia's longest serving judge, Michael Kirby was from 1996 until 2009 one of the seven Justices of Australia's highest constitutional and appellate court, the High Court of Australia. Prior to this appointment he was Deputy President of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission from 1975-1983, inaugural chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission from 1975-1984, a judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 1983-1984, President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal from 1984-1996 and President of the Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands from 1995-1996.

In addition to these posts, Michael Kirby has served in many international and United Nations positions including two expert groups of the OECD, Paris, many bodies of the Commonwealth Secretariat, London and positions in the ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNODC, WHO Global Commission on AIDS, and the UNAIDS Panel on Human Rights and HIV. He was President of the International Commission of Jurists 1995-1998 and served as Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Human Rights in Cambodia 1993-1996.

Michael Kirby has been a member of the governing body of three Australian universities, ultimately being elected as Chancellor of Macquarie University in Sydney 1984-1993. He holds honorary degrees of Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Laws and Doctor of the University from twelve Australian and foreign universities and various other appointments.

Well known for his insight, warmth, intelligence and courage, Michael Kirby is a strong advocate of human rights, including for women, young people and sexual minorities. As a judge he was highly respected, compassionate and thoughtful; his enormous experience in all aspects of Australian judicial life make him a powerful, arresting and articulate speaker on a range of important social issues.

Travels from New South Wales