MLS researchers win major health grant
Melbourne Law School researchers will contribute to Australia's battle against chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases with the help of a significant health research grant.
The grant of $389,640, one of the National Preventive Health Research Grants announced by the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Health, will fund an innovative three-year project by Melbourne Law School and the Cancer Council that aims to help the Government develop robust regulatory measures to support Australians to lead healthier lifestyles.
Melbourne Law School's Professor Andrew Mitchell and Associate Professor Tania Voon will explore, in partnership with Jonathan Liberman at the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer at Cancer Council Victoria, the way in which international trade and investment agreements may affect governments' capacity to regulate to prevent chronic disease.
"We will look at the relevant case law, statutes, regulations, treaties, international 'soft' law, and secondary literature to clarify the implications of trade and investment law so that policymakers can develop more effective regulatory strategies," says Professor Mitchell.
Honorary doctorates awarded
Melbourne Law School graduates shared their recent celebrations with the Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC CH and Allan Myers AO QC who were awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Melbourne.
In the University's final graduation ceremony for 2011 Mr Fraser was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Melbourne, an honour he said he valued more than any other he'd received over his distinguished career.
"His contributions to both national and international affairs have been characterised by a staunch commitment to human rights, an abhorrence of racism, and a determination to secure and preserve the rights of minority groups," stated the citation.
"I am particularly delighted to be receiving the doctorate at a graduation of law graduates," said Mr Fraser.
More recently, in March 2012, Allan Myers was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws for his significant contribution to both the legal profession and the University of Melbourne.
"For the past 35 years, Allan Myers has demonstrated his comprehensive and incisive grasp of the commercial realm in the courtroom and boardroom alike. He is one of Australia's most highly respected barristers, with broad practice as an arbitrator and mediator … Personal and professional success have provided Allan Myers with the opportunity to establish himself as a true activist philanthropist, demonstrating his conviction for the positive social impact of arts and university programs," said the citation.
10th anniversary of Law School building
2012 marks 10 years since the opening of the Melbourne Law School building.
After more than fifty years campaigning by successive deans, a new purpose- built home for the Law School in University Square was opened by the then Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, the Hon. Murray Gleeson AC QC, in 2002.
Designs for the new building were first drawn up in the 1950s, but it was not until May 2002 that staff and students of the Faculty of Law finally moved to their modern new premises.