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Pushing his poofter loving, queuejumper MINORITY views in public again
Kirby awarded honorary degree from ANU
December 17, 2004
High Court Judge Justice Michael Kirby thanked his long-time partner Johan as he was awarded an honorary degree from the Australian National University (ANU).
The openly homosexual judge said he had received several degrees in the 35 years he and Johan have been together.
"This is the first time he has ever attended a graduation ceremony with me," he said.
"In the old days he was in the shadows. So the most important thing I can say to my fellow graduates today is that they should tell those who share this day with them how much they love them and honour them for their part in their success."
The occasion came exactly 30 years after Justice Kirby was first appointed a judge.
ANU Chancellor Professor Peter Baume conferred on him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. Justice Kirby was presented for the degree by ANU vice-chancellor Professor Ian Chubb.
In his speech to graduates, Justice Kirby praised ANU for its outstanding record in research and teaching with two recent independent evaluations placing it among the top universities of the world.
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He also referred to recent High Court decisions concerning issues of basic rights in which he was in the minority.
They included the controversial decisions allowing indefinite detention of stateless persons and state laws allowing prisoners to be kept in custody on the basis of what they might do in future.
Justice Kirby said many Australians, perhaps most, did not care.
"But for me it makes depressing reading," he said.
"Most judges of our tradition, perhaps most lawyers, like to think that in Australia we are always working towards just laws and court decisions that uphold fundamental human rights.
"Alas in many things in the law, we seem to fall short. And there is not much that the courts can do about it."
Justice Kirby urged new law graduates to renew their commitment to equal justice for all Australians.
He said that law alone was not enough and that law with justice had to be the goal of the Australian legal profession and judiciary.
Kirby awarded honorary degree from ANU
December 17, 2004
High Court Judge Justice Michael Kirby thanked his long-time partner Johan as he was awarded an honorary degree from the Australian National University (ANU).
The openly homosexual judge said he had received several degrees in the 35 years he and Johan have been together.
"This is the first time he has ever attended a graduation ceremony with me," he said.
"In the old days he was in the shadows. So the most important thing I can say to my fellow graduates today is that they should tell those who share this day with them how much they love them and honour them for their part in their success."
The occasion came exactly 30 years after Justice Kirby was first appointed a judge.
ANU Chancellor Professor Peter Baume conferred on him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. Justice Kirby was presented for the degree by ANU vice-chancellor Professor Ian Chubb.
In his speech to graduates, Justice Kirby praised ANU for its outstanding record in research and teaching with two recent independent evaluations placing it among the top universities of the world.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
He also referred to recent High Court decisions concerning issues of basic rights in which he was in the minority.
They included the controversial decisions allowing indefinite detention of stateless persons and state laws allowing prisoners to be kept in custody on the basis of what they might do in future.
Justice Kirby said many Australians, perhaps most, did not care.
"But for me it makes depressing reading," he said.
"Most judges of our tradition, perhaps most lawyers, like to think that in Australia we are always working towards just laws and court decisions that uphold fundamental human rights.
"Alas in many things in the law, we seem to fall short. And there is not much that the courts can do about it."
Justice Kirby urged new law graduates to renew their commitment to equal justice for all Australians.
He said that law alone was not enough and that law with justice had to be the goal of the Australian legal profession and judiciary.
