2023 CCCS Constitutional Law Conference
20 and 21 July 2023
Melbourne Law School
Conference Convenors Professor Adrienne Stone and Professor Jason Varuhas.


CCCS is delighted to confirm the return of its Constitutional Law Conference to be held in person at Melbourne Law School.
The 2023 conference has special significance as it will be dedicated to marking the immense contributions of Emeritus Professor Michael Crommelin AO Zelman Cowen Professor of Law, to the fields of public and constitutional law as well as to the Centre and as Dean of Melbourne Law School.
Public Lecture
The conference will commence with the inaugural Michael Crommelin Lecture, a new ongoing series of public lectures in honour of Professor Crommelin.
We are pleased to announce that the inaugural lecture will be delivered by the Honourable Robert French AC, former Chief Justice of Australia on the theme, Williams v Commonwealth - Ten Years' On.
The lecture will be followed by the Conference dinner.
Conference
The 2023 Conference is the 8th CCCS Constitutional Law Conference. It is forum for high level discussion of enduring themes in Constitutional law that has been held since 2009, attracting academics, practitioners and the judiciary nationwide. In keeping with CCCS’ global profile, it will also feature prominent international public law scholars. In 2023, the conference will honour Emeritus Professor Michael Crommelin AO, Zelman Cowen Professor of Law, for his extraordinary career as a public law scholar and Dean of Melbourne Law School.
The conference will feature four panels on contemporary themes in public law including federalism, Australian democracy, responsible government, the legal questions posed by the proposal for a ‘Voice to Parliament’, judicial review, executive power (including non-statutory power), and resources law and Australia’s environmental future.
Among the cases discused will be Palmer v Western Australia (2021) 272 CLR 505, Minister for Home Affairs v Benbrika (2021) 272 CLR 68, Garlett v Western Australia (2022) 404 ALR 182, Williams v Commonwealth (2012) 248 CLR 156, and Davis v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (M32/2022 & S81/2022).
A final panel will be devoted to the career and contributions of Professor Crommelin.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Professor Nicholas Aroney (UQ)
- Professor James Stellios (ANU)
- Professor Anne Twomey (Sydney)
- Professor Denis Baranger (Paris-Panthéon-Assas)
- Justice Kristen Walker (Court of Appeal, Victoria)
- Professor Cheryl Saunders AO (Melbourne)
- Professor Barry Barton (Waikato)
- Professor Jason Varuhas (Melbourne)
- Professor Terence Daintith (IALS, Univ. London)
- Professor Liz Fisher (Oxford)
- Professor Carolyn Evans (Griffith University)
- Professor Simon Evans (University of New England)
- Associate Professor Rebecca Nelson (Melbourne)
CCCS Constitutional Law Conference 2023
Woodward Conference Centre
Melbourne Law School
20-21 July 2023
Thursday 20 July 2023
Public Lecture | ||
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6:00pm | Inaugural Michael Crommelin Lecture: Reflections on Williams v Commonwealth - Ten Years On Welcome: Professor Matthew Harding (Dean, Melbourne Law School) Chair: Professor Jason Varuhas Speaker: The Hon. Robert French QC AC, former Chief Justice, High Court of Australia Vote of Thanks: Professor Adrienne Stone | |
7.30pm | Conference Opening Dinner: University House at Woodward |
Friday 21 July 2023
8:45am to 8.50am | Conference Opening and Welcome CCCS Directors: Professors Adrienne Stone and Jason Varuhas | |
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9:00am | Panel One: The Future of Australia's Federal Democracy Speakers:
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10:30am to 11.00am | Morning Tea | |
11.00am | Panel Two: Executive Power Speakers:
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12:30pm to 1.30pm | Lunch | |
1:30pm | Panel Three: Public Law, Resources Law and Australia's Environmental Future Speakers:
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3:00pm to 3.30pm | Afternoon Tea | |
3:30pm | Panel Four: Michael Crommelin : Dean and Colleague Speakers:
Response:
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4.30pm to 4.45pm | Closing Remarks CCCS Directors: Professors Adrienne Stone and Jason Varuhas |
Please note this is a draft programme and may be subject to change.
To register and pay online for the Conference and/or Dinner, please click here.
To register for the Public Lecture, please click here.
Conference Pricing Levels
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Registration Fees (General)
Early Bird General Rate - $350
General rate - $399
Early Bird registration closes 15 May 2023
No refunds can be issued for cancellations after 1 July 2023
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Registration Fees (Academic)
Early Bird Academic Rate - $260
Academic rate - $299
Early Bird registration closes 15 May 2023
No refunds can be issued for cancellations after 1 July 2023
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Registration Fees (Full time student)
Early Bird Student Rate - $100
Student rate - $120
Early Bird registration closes 15 May 2023
No refunds can be issued for cancellations after 1 July 2023
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Conference Dinner
Conference dinner - $120
A selection of accommodation suggestions in the vicinity of Melbourne Law School
Zagame’s House
Lygon St, Carlton
850m or an 11-minute walk from Melbourne Law School
https://www.zagameshouse.com.au/
Zagame’s House is pleased to offer Conference attendees a special discounted rate.
To activate the discount, enter ‘CCCS2023’ in the Promo Code field when booking.
The discounts available through this code are:
- 1-Night stay – 10% discount
- 2-Night stay – 15% discount
- 3-Night stay – 20% discount
- 4-Night stay – 20% discount
- 5-Night stay – 25% discount
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Brady Hotels Central Melbourne
Little La Trobe St, Melbourne
- 1.1km or a 15-minute walk from Melbourne Law School
- Website: https://www.bradyhotels.com.au/central-melbourne
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Laneways by Ovolo
Little Bourke St, Melbourne
- 1.9km or a 20-minute tram ride from Melbourne Law School
- Website: https://ovolohotels.com/ovolo/laneways/
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Melbourne City Apartment Hotel
Rosslyn St, West Melbourne
- 1.8km or a 20-minute tram ride from Melbourne Law School
- Website: https://www.melbournecityapartmenthotel.com/
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Mercure Melbourne Therry Street (an Accor Hotel)
Therry St, Melbourne
- 750m or a 10-minute walk from Melbourne Law School
- Website: https://all.accor.com/hotel/9376/index.en.shtml
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Oaks Melbourne on William Suites
William St, Melbourne
- 1.4km or a 13-minute tram ride from Melbourne Law School
- Website: https://www.oakshotels.com/en/oaks-on-william
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QT Melbourne
Russell St, Melbourne
- 1.8km or a 15-minute tram ride from Melbourne Law School
- Website: https://www.qthotels.com/melbourne/?gclid=CjwKCAiA3pugBhAwEiwAWFzwdYY-Akdr0zR6DIIIhxJDycjqOIMQgZtz2uTYbx_M5Q4_ZbLpGr-dCBoC4S4QAvD_BwE
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The Park Hotel Melbourne
Swanston St, Carlton
- 350m or a 5-minute walk from Melbourne Law School
- Website: https://rydges-swanston-carlton.h-rez.com/
Getting around in Melbourne
Melbourne is well serviced by public transport, and it is very easy to get around on trains, trams and buses. In order to travel on public transport in Melbourne, you need to use a Myki pass. Detailed information about Myki is available at the Myki website http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/.
The public transport Victoria website has a handy journey planner function that allows you to type in an origin and a destination and gives you all the available public transport options and instructions.
Places to visit in Melbourne
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Queen Victoria Market
Open every day except Monday and Wednesday.
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St Kilda Beach and St Kilda Pier
Catch the Number 16 or 96 Tram to the end of Fitzroy Street. If you go straight after the conference at the end of the day, you might be able to see penguins.
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Royal Botanic Gardens
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City Circle Tram
City Circle Tram service provides a free and convenient way to get around central Melbourne.
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Albert Park
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State Library of Victoria
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Melbourne Walks
A great walk is a walk of Melbourne’s famous arcades and lanes. Free Walking Tours are also a good way to learn more about Melbourne.
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Luna Park
Catch the Number 16 or 96 Tram to Luna Park.
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National Gallery of Victoria
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Immigration Museum
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ACMI Museum
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Koorie Heritage Trust
Shopping in Melbourne
Melbourne has fantastic shopping. There are a number of shopping centers in Bourke Street Shopping Mall in Melbourne City.
There are also a number of large factory outlets close to the city.
Postal Address
Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies (CCCS)
Melbourne Law School
The University of Melbourne VIC 3010
Australia
Location
Law Building (BLDG#106)
185 Pelham Street
Carlton VIC 3053