In the first Selden Society lecture for 2026, former Supreme Court Justice Glenn Martin AM KC will explore one of the High Court of Australia’s most important decisions.
Supreme Court Library Queensland, on behalf of the Selden Society (Australian Chapter), is hosting the lecture, Reds under the bed – 75 years since the Communist Party Case – on Thursday 16 April in Brisbane’s Banco Court, Level 3, QEII Courts of Law,.
It has been 75 years since the Communist Party case, but it remains a cornerstone of Australian rule of law doctrine, having shaped jurisprudence on the defence power, emergency powers, and the separation of judicial and executive authority.
In a high-profile legal battle, the argument pitted a future Chief Justice of Australia, Garfield Barwick KC, against the then Leader of the Opposition, Bert Evatt KC, to determine the constitutionality of the Communist Party Dissolution Act 1950.
It reaffirmed that the Commonwealth cannot simply assert a threat to national security and legislate beyond constitutional limits.
Mr Martin was a former judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland (2007–2025) and served as Senior Judge Administrator (2022–25). His Honour previously led both the Australian Bar Association and the Bar Association of Queensland. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2013 for significant service to the law.
The lecture will be chaired by the Honourable Justice Bradley.
The event opens at 5.15pm for 5.30pm start. It will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
Register to attend this free event and stay for refreshments and networking afterwards in the Portrait Gallery, or register for the livestream.
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