2013 Banksia Association Lecture presented by The Hon Antoinette Kennedy AO

"A fair trial, a fair sentence"

John Mortimer’s character, Rumpole of the Bailey famously said “What some people would like is to repeal Magna Carta, suspend habeas corpus, abolish trial by jury, reverse the onus of proof and replace the whole thing with a summary trial in front of the station sergeant”.

The first part of the lecture will address the reasons why each of these elements is a part of our legal system, and the importance of protecting them. The community must understand that it has more to fear from tyranny than from disorder.

The second part will discuss whether the community asks too much of the Criminal Justice System, exploring it as an instrument controlling human behaviour, and questioning whether it is time to look at Justice Reinvested.

The Hon Antoinette Kennedy AO

Antoinette Kennedy has dedicated much of her life to serving the Western Australian community.

She graduated in Law from the University of Western Australia in 1966, winning the Keall prize for finishing top of her fourth-year class. After working as a Barrister and Solicitor, and starting up her own practice, Ms Kennedy headed to Washington, DC. Upon her return to Perth, she practised at The Independent Bar while serving as a part-time Special Magistrate of the Children’s Court.

She was sworn in as the State’s first female judge in 1985, remaining Western Australia’s sole female judge until 1992. For six of these years, Ms Kennedy was also a member of the Murdoch University Senate.

Another milestone followed in 2004, when Ms Kennedy was appointed Chief Judge to the District Court of Western Australia. She was the first woman in Western Australia to head a jurisdiction and only the third woman in Australia’s history to serve in such a role. A year later, she was awarded an honorary doctorate at Murdoch University.

Ms Kennedy stepped down from the bench in 2010, but has remained a strong advocate for social justice and gender equality. Her services to law, the judiciary and the wider community were formally recognised in 2011, when she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday 3 October 2013

Time: 6.00pm

Venue: Kim E Beazley Lecture Theatre, Murdoch University

90 South Street, Murdoch

RSVP: Essential by Friday 27 September 2013 to rsvp@murdoch.edu.au or on 9360 6176

Parking: Free parking is available at Car Park 3

Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the lecture

CPD points will be available for this lecture. If you wish to register for CPD Points, please indicate this in your RSVP.