Podcast on Lionel Murphy with Michael Kirby by Michael Brown

This interview was recorded by Michael Brown, a Sydney family lawyer, on the work and contributions of the Honourable Lionel Murphy AC.  The interview was recorded in Sydney in February 2026.  It was inspired by a chapter written by Jenny Hocking on the 10thanniversary of the death of Lionel Murphy.  The Foreword to that publication was written by Michael Kirby and included in a volume edited by Dr Paul Vout KC, Law, Justice and other Challenges: Selected Speeches and Papers of Michael Kirby (2026, Federation Press).

The podcast on Lionel Murphy celebrates 50 years of the reform of Australian federal family law. That major law reform was an achievement of Lionel Murphy in 1973-4 when he was Federal Attorney-General. The discussion with Michael Brown describes the work of Lionel Murphy as a barrister, senator, minister and High Court justice. It examines Lionel Murphy and his legacy. Michael Kirby emphasises his friendship with Neville Wran. He believes that this, rather than any link with Lionel Murphy, led to his subsequent appointment to the Australian Law Reform Commission. The podcast is concerned with creative, energetic reformist approach of Lionel Murphy to the law. This had an influence on Michael Kirby.

>> Lionel Murphy: Heresy to Orthodoxy — Michael Kirby Reflects