michael kirby
Michael Kirby appointed Patron of Victorian Pride Centre
The Victorian Pride Centre has marked the start of Pride Month by appointed former High Court Judge Michael Kirby its inaugural Patron, as well as a list of LGBTIQ community ambassadors. The Pride Centre, located in St Kilda and due to open in late 2020, will be an LGBTIQ community hub. The Pride Centre will …
Michael Kirby slams Morrison government’s religious discrimination bill
Former High Court judge Michael Kirby has said the Morrison government’s “unbalanced” draft religious discrimination bill will lead to “intolerance and hostility” in Australian society. In a letter to the Australian Law Journal, Kirby said the bill was born of “hostile religious assertions of a minority of conservative politicians” after same-sex marriage passed in 2017. …
Michael Kirby marries Johan van Vloten on their 50th anniversary
Former High Court judge Michael Kirby and his longtime partner Johan van Vloten have tied the knot on the 50th anniversary of their first meeting. Kirby, who served as a High Court judge from 1996 to 2009, wed van Vloten at a private ceremony at their Sydney home on Monday, with Kirby’s brother Donald and …
John Howard: ‘Politics Of Discrimination’ Hampering Religious Freedom Debate
Former Prime Minister John Howard has said that he’s frustrated with the “maddening” debate around religious freedoms in Australia. Howard told The Australian on Wednesday that the “politics of discrimination” had “become so potent” it was difficult to have a rational discussion about freedom of religion. “Nobody wants to expel gay kids and to my …
Former Judge Michael Kirby To Marry His Partner Next Year
Former high court judge Michael Kirby is planning to marry his longtime partner Johan van Vloten next year, on the 50th anniversary of their first meeting. The esteemed human rights campaigner, who served as a judge the High Court from 1996 to 2009, famously savaged last year’s same-sex marriage postal survey as “unacceptable” and disrespectful …
Former Judge Michael Kirby Concerned By Delay Of Religious Freedom Report
Former High Court judge Michael Kirby has said Australia must not accept laws paving the way for discrimination against minority groups in the name of religious freedom, and he is concerned by the delayed release of the religious freedom review panel’s report. Kirby addressed last year’s legalisation of same-sex marriage and the current debate about …
HIV Research Pioneer Professor David Cooper Remembered As ‘Global Hero’
Immunologist Professor David Cooper HIV Research Pioneer Hundreds have gathered to remember immunologist Professor David Cooper as a pioneer and “global hero” in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Credited with diagnosing some of the first cases of HIV in Australia, Professor Cooper passed away at age 69 in Sydney in March. Professor Cooper was appointed the inaugural …