The annual Higinbotham lecture is one of RMIT’s most prestigious events and celebrates the legacy of politician and Chief Justice George Higinbotham, exploring topical legal issues and the interaction between law and society.
The 2020 Higinbotham Lecture will be delivered by The Hon. Jill Hennessy MP, Attorney-General and Minister for Workplace Safety in the Victorian Government.
The Attorney-General will speak on ‘The Victorian Legal System in a Global Pandemic’, covering various changes to the law implemented by the Victorian Government in response to the major health and economic challenges of COVID-19.
A panel of RMIT Law academic experts will engage in a panel discussion and audience Q&A following the Attorney-General’s lecture.
The Higinbotham lecture has a proud history of inviting accomplished human rights activists including Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs, the Hon Catherine Branson, Hugh de Kretser and Craig Foster to present on vital issues pertaining to law and society.
The Honourable Jill Hennessy MP
Member for Altona District
Attorney-General Minister for Workplace Safety
Jill Hennessy entered the Victorian Parliament as the Member for Altona District in 2010 and held a number of shadow ministerial roles before she was elected to government in 2014, including public transport, anti-corruption, corrections, crime prevention and women.
As Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services in the first Andrews Labor Government, Jill was a driving force behind a number of landmark reforms that have changed the lives of Victorians.
She is committed to modernising the Victorian legal system to deliver strong, smart, fair and transparent justice, making it more accessible, responsive to victims, the judiciary and legal profession more diverse, and delivering reforms to drive safety, equality and protection of the less powerful.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.