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Justice, justice ... a shared ethic

Australian Catholic University’s Thomas More Law School has hosted the 12^th annual Honourable Barry O’Keefe Memorial Lecture.

• Guest speaker The Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon AC identified shared notions of justice across the Jewish, Christian, Islamic and other traditions
• The lecture was named in honour of the late Barry O’Keefe AM QC
• Melbourne student Cameo Porreca was awarded the 2026 Carla Todaro Memorial Law Scholarship

One of the nation’s sharpest legal minds inspired the next generation to excel at Australian Catholic University’s annual Honourable Barry O’Keefe Memorial Lecture at its Peter Cosgrove Centre in North Sydney.

Guest speaker The Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon AC captured the attention of a room packed with law experts, students and academics as she explored the topic “Justice, Justice … A Shared Ethic”.

Justice Gordon defined justice in each of the Jewish, Christian, Islamic and other traditions and noted the recurring themes of protecting the vulnerable, the insistence of impartiality, integration of mercy and fairness, and the idea that justice is a daily practice.

“None of these are abstract ideas,” she said.

“They are commitments that shape how our communities and institutions operate.”

Master of ceremonies Thomas More Law School Dean Professor Lidia Xynas thanked the Chief Justice for her address and, together with Faculty of Law and Business Executive Dean Professor David Smith presented students with Faculty Commendation awards.

“At ACU, we aim to prepare the next generation of lawyers to be ethical, practical and globally minded,” Professor Xynas said.

“As they commence professional journey, they have been most fortunate to have heard from one of Australia’s most distinguished jurists.”

Fourth year Thomas More Law School student Adrian Ryan gave the student response, while ACU Chancellor the Hon Martin Daubney AM KC delivered the closing remarks.

This distinguished lecture series has featured many eminent speakers, including most recently the Chief Justice of the High Court, the Hon Stephen Gageler AC, and the Hon Justice Jacqueline Gleeson of the High Court.

Now in its 12^th iteration, 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. 

The event was also an opportunity to recognise the endeavour of Melbourne campus student Cameo Porreca who received a 2026 Carla Todaro Memorial Law Scholarship.