With majority support for equal marriage demonstrated by the recent postal survey, religious figures began to question the status of minority rights in Australia. In response, the Commonwealth government commissioned Phillip Ruddock to conduct an inquiry on whether Australian law adequately protects the human right to religious freedom. His report is due in April.

Three eminent legal minds will talk about the need for a bill of rights in Australia and Ruddock’s report:

Richard Ackland AM, an award-winning journalist, editor and lawyer, previously Canberra correspondent for the AFR, host of Late Line Live and Daybreak, and presenter of ABC TV’s Media Watch. He received a Gold Walkley for his work on Cash for Comments. Richard founded Law Press of Australia, which publishes Justinian and the Gazette of Law & Journalism and is also the legal editor for Guardian Australia and a columnist for The Saturday Paper.

George Williams AO, is Dean and Professor of Law at UNSW Law. George has written and edited 35 books, and has appeared as a barrister in the High Court in many cases. He helped bring about Australia’s first state bill of rights, the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. George is a well-known commentator on legal issues and currently writes for the Australian.

Kate Eastman SC, member of the NSW Bar since 1998, appointed Senior Counsel in 2012. Kate’s areas of practice include employment, discrimination, human rights, professional conduct, international law and public law. Previously she worked with the Australian Human Rights Commission, and as a lawyer at Allens Arthur Robinson in Sydney. Kate has taught international human rights law at several Australian universities, and as part of Australia’s foreign aid program. Kate is a Senior Fellow in the Faculty of Law at Monash University.

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