Julian Burnside AO QC

Julian Burnside is a barrister, human rights advocate, author and performed the role of President of Liberty Victoria over a number of years including 2020.  He is well known for his staunch opposition to the mandatory detention of asylum seekers, and has provided legal counsel in a wide array of high-profile cases.

He represented Liberty Victoria in an action against the Australian Government over the Tampa crisis and has acted in several major cases on behalf of Indigenous Australians.

He is an Australian Living Treasure and recipient of the Australian Peace Prize, and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2009 for service as a human rights advocate.