From Great Acceptor to Great Dissenter - The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
On 8 March 2022, The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG hosted a special lecture for Macquarie Law School students, sharing his experience of life as a law student to High Court Justice, international jurist and beyond. Dr Michael Kirby shared his biggest lesson as a law student – not asking enough questions.
Michael was diligent, committed, and hard-working throughout his studies. However, his lecture reflects on some of his experiences in silence, reflective of society at the time, including the White Australia Policy, women’s rights and LGBTIQ+ rights at the time.
Michael's top tip for the law students of today is to ask themselves “what are the issues of this time that we’re not asking questions about?” He encourages students to learn every detail of the law so they know what it says, know what is wrong about what it says, and do what they can to change that.
"I did very well in my law course, but I didn't ask enough questions" - Dr Michael Kirby.