Andrew Leigh

The Fraser Lecture is an annual public lecture hosted by the federal member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh MP, to facilitate public discussion and debate on matters of national significance.

The Fraser Lecture invites high-profile Australians to deliver a 30 minute lecture, followed by questions and answers. Former presenters have included Tim Costello, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Sharan Burrow and Anne Summers.  

In 2014, President of the Human Rights Commission Professor Gillian Triggs will be delivering the annual lecture.

Professor Triggs will discuss the recent, unprecedented expansion of executive power, touching on legal responses to terrorism, asylum seekers and section 18c of Race Discrimination Act.

Professor Triggs has had a broad and fascinating career in international law and human rights, issues that are very much at the forefront of public debate.    

Professor Gillian Triggs has combined an academic career with international commercial legal practice and worked with governments and international organisations on disputed continental shelf and other territorial claims, World Trade Organisation law and human rights. Her focus at the Commission is on the implementation in Australian law of the human rights treaties to which Australia is a party, and to work with nations in the Asia Pacific region on practical approaches to human rights.

Professor Triggs’ long-standing commitment to legal education builds upon the Commission’s efforts to inform Australians, especially children, about their fundamental human rights. Professor Triggs will speak for thirty minutes and take questions from the audience for the rest of the event.

More information about Professor Triggs can be found here.