Sir Kenneth Bailey Memorial Lecture – 04.10.17
Professor Gillian Triggs presented a public lecture on Wednesday 4 October 2017 on the topic, "The Rule of Law in a Post-Truth Era".
As the internet and social media provide unprecedented access to information and commentary, a curious and probably unforeseen consequence has been that responses to contemporary problems are increasingly emotional and ideological. Research reports, scientific evidence and balanced reports are often ignored in favour of subjective, entrenched views. If facts don’t matter, how can public policy and laws be developed to address today's challenges? This public lecture considered the implications of a “post- truth” era on the rule of law in the context of marriage equality, indigenous policy and vulnerable children.