The Centre was honoured to have Chancellor of the University of Western Australia, former Chief Justice the Hon Robert French AC deliver the keynote address at its black-tie Postgraduate Scholar dinner at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel last month.

His address, ‘The Meaning of Life, the University and Everything – Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom’ was delivered to an audience including US Consul-General Christine Elder, former NSW Premier and Consul General in the US the Hon Nick Greiner AC, and prominent representatives from Sydney’s business, legal, intellectual and media circles. Hosted by Ramsay Centre CEO Dr Martin Fahy, it was also attended by former Prime Minister the Hon Tony Abbott AC and members of the Ramsay Centre Executive and Board. 

In his address, Mr French spoke of the critical importance of interdisciplinarity and engaging with diverse perspectives. He argued that neither academic freedom nor freedom of speech should be eroded by unscrutinised incursions from laws, university regulations or policies, “which employ virtuous sounding language of wide application and can create vaguely defined legal constraints and administrative powers limiting these important freedoms.”

Mr French congratulated the scholars, urging them to enjoy their freedoms, “…protect them and exercise them well.”

To read his speech click here: