Rule of Law Lectures
Bringing together leading voices to examine threats to the rule of law and solutions for a stronger Australia.
Why Public Discussion Matters
A strong democracy depends on more than laws and institutions. It requires informed citizens who are willing to engage with difficult questions, challenge abuse of power, and contribute to the ongoing improvement of our legal and democratic systems.
For more than 15 years, the Rule of Law Institute of Australia and the Rule of Law Education Centre have provided a forum for free, open and non-political discussion about the issues that affect the rule of law in Australia. Through lectures, panel discussions and public events, we bring together judges, legal practitioners, academics, policymakers, journalists and members of the public to examine emerging challenges, hold governments and institutions to account, and explore practical solutions to strengthen our democracy.
These conversations are important because threats to the rule of law rarely appear all at once. They often emerge gradually through the erosion of freedoms, reduced government accountability, limits on access to justice, or declining public understanding of democratic institutions. Open discussion allows these issues to be identified, debated and addressed before lasting damage occurs.
Previous Lectures
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2026 Henry Ergas
The Rule of Law Institute together with AIJAC and Arnold Bloch Leibler welcomed Henry Ergas AO to consider “Has the implied constitutional freedom of political communication given control of the streets to propogandists?”
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2026 Hon Ian Jackman
Hon Ian Jackman’s address titled ‘Some Axioms Proved Upon Our Pulses’ looks at the rule of law in Australia and the threats when justice is delayed.
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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 where does it 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.
Robin Speed Memorial Lecture
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.
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.”