'Insult and Emotion, Calumny and Invective': The Constitutional Protection of Incivility in Political Communication

Wednesday, 14 September, 2011 - 17:30 to 19:00
New South Wales

Professor Adrienne Stone, Melbourne Law School

Commentators:  Mr Brian Rayment QC (Tenth Floor Wentworth Chambers), Mr Bret Walker SC (Fifth Floor St James Hall)

Chair: The Honourable Justice Stephen Rothman AM (Supreme Court of New South Wales)

This paper will consider the significance of the High Court's consistent observation that Australian political debate is properly considered to be unruly and raucous and may involve unpleasantness and insult. The observation places Australia in a distinctive and counterintuitive position. The constitutional protection of insulting words in political communication may be somewhat stronger than under the Human Rights Acts 1998 (UK).

Venue: Court 18A, Federal Court, Queens Square, Sydney

Note: this is a member-only seminar.  Please contact Christos Mantziaris (NSW Chapter) at mantziaris@stjames.net.au to enquire about membership.