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One of Australia's most insightful legal minds delivered an intellectual masterpiece at Australian Catholic University's 11th annual Honourable Barry O'Keefe Memorial Lecture in North Sydney.
Law experts, students and academics heard from the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia The Hon Stephen Gageler AC who gave a thought-provoking address on the topic The Mind of the Body Politic: Legislative action and legislative intention.
Chief Justice Gageler explored the origins and philosophies around the interplay between law and society, and the merits of the wisdom of the multitude.
He noted that "No more than two conditions need to be satisfied:
Fourth year Thomas More Law School student Demi Spiteri gave the student response, noting it was not often the student body had the opportunity to hear directly from the Chief Justice of the High Court.
Thanking the Hon Chief Justice for his speech, she said: "As law students we are constantly grappling with the relationship between what parliament says and what parliament means," and that "Your insights have given us a deeper appreciation of the constitutional and interpretive challenges that lie at the heart of that relationship."
Master of ceremonies Interim Dean Thomas More Law School Associate Professor Kunle Ola thanked the Chief Justice for his address; Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis presented the Chief Justice with a gift on behalf on the University, while ACU Chancellor The Hon. Martin Daubney AM KC offered the closing remarks.
The lecture was named in honour of the late Barry O'Keefe AM QC, a highly accomplished judge and lawyer who left a huge and lasting legacy over a life of service.
Justice O'Keefe's contributions include his work as Chair of Interpol's International Group of Experts on Corruption and Chair of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council, representing the Catholic Church's response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Justice O'Keefe was a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Court of Common Law Division and Court of Criminal Appeal. ACU awarded Justice O'Keefe the University's highest honour, an honorary doctorate, two weeks before he passed away in 2014.
Faculty of Law and Business Executive Dean Professor Andrew O'Neil presented awards to 24 Faculty Commendation recipients who achieved a GPA of at least 6.0 out of 7.0.
Additionally, the Colin Biggers and Paisely Lawyers Prize was awarded to Kashish Madhani for National First Place in Land Law for 2024, and the Prize for National First Place in Commercial Law was awarded to Jemilah Kleinitz Lister.
The event was also an opportunity to recognise the endeavour of Demi Spiteri, Kashish Madhani and Cameo Porecca who were recipients of the 2025 Carla Todaro Law Scholarships.
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