Why we were established

The Rule of Law Education Centre, together with the Rule of Law Institute of Australia work to promote and uphold the rule of law. 

In the early days of the Rule of Law Institute of Australia, Peter Goldsmith former Attorney General of the UK Government described the organisation as  “watchdogs of liberty in a mature and responsible way…”  with the media reporting: “The Rule of Law Institute of Australia takes a principle-based approach in its examination of the law and administration of the laws which impinge on fundamental rights and liberties.”

As is today, the Rule of Law Education Centre focuses on rule of law principles not politics.  It was established to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta and to provide education regarding the Magna Carta and the underlying checks and balances that protect us in Australia today.  These principles include equality before the law, an independent judiciary, separation of powers, presumption of innocence, freedom of speech and the model litigant obligations.  By clearly and explicitly teaching these principles at school and university, Australians are equipped to not only understand and obey laws, but to constructively engage with the law and government and to challenge then when needed.  

One of the fundamental features of Australia’s system of government is that everyone has a responsibility to make their own assessments about public policy debates. That means accepting that part of the price of living in a free society is that flawed ideas should be free to circulate alongside those that are worthy. Telling the difference is the role of an informed citizenry, not governments and their officials.