Rule of Law Lectures
The purpose of the annual lectures is to provide an inspirational reminder of the contribution made by Robin Speed, Founder of the Rule of Law Education Centre in promoting and protecting the rule of law in Australia.
2026 Lecture
The 2026 Robin Speed Memorial Lecture will held on 11 June 2026 and given by Hon Ian Jackman SC, Judge of the Federal Court of Australia.
Robin Speed Memorial Lecture
This lecture is named in honour of the founder of Speed and Stracey Lawyers and the Rule of Law Education Centre, Robin Speed OAM, who passed away in February 2023. The Robin Speed Memorial Lecture is held annually to coincide with the anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta on 15 June.
On establishing the Rule of Law Institute in 2010, Robin hoped
“to encourage fellow Australians to stand up and challenge rule of law abuses. This can be done in all sorts of ways, small or large, like making submissions to the government, writing articles, speaking out publicly, attending conferences and working with the Rule of Law Association. The job cannot be left to the courts, where they have limited powers of intervention and any intervention may be too late.”
Previous Lectures
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2025 Henry Ergas AO
Henry Ergas AO’s address on ‘From Magna Carta to Antisemitism – the call for justice for all’ outlined the anniversary of the Magna Carta, its role as a promissory note with promises of justice for all and the liberal temper under threat.
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2024 Walter Sofronoff KC
Walter Sofronoff KC’s address on ‘Why has the Rule of Law arisen in human existence?’ asked “Is the Rule of Law part of human existence? Why does this arise and come from?”
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2023 Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly’s address on ‘The Voice to Parliament and the Referendum’ explored whether the proposal conflicted with equality before the law and equality of citizenship, and democratic rights.
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2022 Charif Kazal
Charif Kazal and Margaret Cunneen SC discussed Government Overreach by NSW ICAC and the need for checks and balances on those in power.
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2021 Presumption of Guilt
Online lectures from Bret Walker AO KC, Ron Hoenig MP, Margaret Cunneen SC, Malcolm Stewart and Chris Merritt.
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Earlier Lectures
Earlier lectures examined themes including the Magna Carta, Open Courts, Drugs and Sport, and contemporary challenges to the Rule of Law.