#38 – A conversation with the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG

<p>Former justice of the High Court of Australia, the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, shares insights from his extensive career, including his personal experiences with migration law, the importance of dissenting judgments, and the role of international law in domestic courts. This episode explores how legal principles shape justice and the rule of law inAustralia.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Justice Kirby, migration law, dissenting judgments, international law, rule of law, Australian judiciary, legal principles, migration and refugee law</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>01:17 - Justice Kirby&#39;s Personal Experience with Migration Law</p><p>02:17 - Guiding Values and Influences in Justice Kirby&#39;s Life</p><p>04:01 - The Role of Public Education and Secularism</p><p>06:58 - Misunderstandings About Dissenting Judgments</p><p>12:48 - The Spanish Deportation Incident and Its Lessons</p><p>15:56 - Judging Migration and Refugee Cases</p><p>18:31 - International Law and Its Influence on Australian Courts</p><p>20:32 - Judicial Activism and Fidelity to Law</p><p>28:29 - Reflections on Australian Monarchy and Constitutional Issues</p><p>32:20 - Contributing Beyond the Legal Profession</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Date of recording:</strong> 11/06/2026</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Acknowledgments:</strong></p><p>Photograph of Justice Kirby used in this episode&#39;s coverartwork was sourced from his official website (https://www.michaelkirby.com.au/). </p><p>We extend our heartfelt thanks to Justice Kirby for sogenerously volunteering his time, and for imparting his knowledge and insights.</p><p>As always, thank you to our listeners, without which thispodcast would simply not exist. </p><p>If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear from you - call us on (03) 9063 3340 or visit www.lawgration.com.au. </p><p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong></p><p>This content is intended to be for general informational purposes only, and all content is current at the time of recording and subject to change without prior notice. While LawGration is an Incorporated Legal Practice, we are not aware of your personal circumstances, needs or goals, and information contained in this post should not be construedas legal, immigration or other advice. Before acting on any information in this post, you should always query whether it is relevant to your circumstances and consult an Australian immigration lawyer or registered migration agent.</p><p>The views and/or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of LawGration, or any other organisation that they represent or are otherwise affiliated with. </p><p>In the event that content is marked as ‘promotional’, unless expressly stated, LawGration does not in any way endorse any third party or their offerings.</p>