Thursday, May 5, 2011

No justice for former High Court Justice...

The role of a High Court Justice is pretty obvious from the title. These men and women are appointed to ensure, to the best of their ability, that no Australian suffers an injustice at the hands of our common law system, and/or because of laws made by parliament. 

Michael Kirby served as a Justice of the High Court for 13 years. He is probably Australia's best known judge, especially to those not working in connection with, or studying, the law. He is renowned for his liberal and compassionate viewpoints, as well as his commitment to human rights.

He also happens to be Australia's first openly gay judge, and has lived with his partner for 42 years.

I don't know about anyone else, but it strikes me as a great injustice when a person who has committed his life to upholding and advancing justice himself is still effectively seen as a second-class citizen in the eyes of a system he has dedicated his life to serving, and shaping .

While Australia's legal system continues to discriminate against same-sex attracted citizens, it cannot truly be seen as a just system.