The Chief Justice of the High Court gave the keynote address, touching on core issues of multiculturalism, citizenship, personal autonomy, torture and terrorism in his appraisal of the role of judges in modern Australia.

“Although the rule of law gives judges certain powers, and imposes on them certain responsibilities, it is not something in which they have a proprietorial interest,” he said.

“The rule of law does not exist for the benefit of judges, any more than democracy exists for the benefit of politicians.”