politics
Australian High Court Justice Criticizes Samuel Griffith Society Over Judicial Appointments
Justice Robert Beech-Jones told a law conference that the Samuel Griffith Society is promoting U.S.-style conservative appointments to the High Court. The society’s president and executive director rejected the claims and defended the group’s work.
Jun 7, 11:00 AM·1m read1 source
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High Court Justice Robert Beech-Jones told the North Queensland Law Association Conference last month that the Samuel Griffith Society is attempting to influence judicial appointments in a manner similar to U.S. conservative efforts. ” He cited the group’s student chapters, its focus on the Mabo native title case, and its research on constitutional issues.
” Myers said the assertion that Griffith had been culturally appropriated was false. ” She said the speech confirmed the society’s long-standing argument that the High Court has a political dimension.
Background on judicial appointments Beech-Jones was appointed to the High Court by the Albanese government in 2023. Another High Court justice, Simon Steward, delivered the keynote address at the Samuel Griffith Society’s 2025 conference. Research by Australian National University academics found that Australian governments tend to appoint justices whose ideological leanings align with the appointing party, though the study also noted greater collegiality on the High Court than on the U.S. Supreme Court.
