A former senior judge in Australia has strongly criticized both politicians and the media for undermining judicial independence, warning that the country risks falling into a pattern similar to that seen during the presidency of Donald Trump in the United States. The remarks came from former Supreme Court judge Lex Lasry, who delivered a pointed speech shortly after retiring from the bench. His comments highlight growing tensions between the judiciary and other branches of government, particularly in the Australian state of Victoria, where the current administration faces increasing scrutiny over its approach to crime and the justice system.
Lasry, who served as a judge for nearly two decades in both Victoria and the Northern Territory, addressed these concerns during a conference held by the Criminal Lawyers Association NT in Bali. His speech, initially titled "Separation of Powers: Then and Now," was later renamed "The Ritualised Art of Shouting at the Scoreboard." In this address, Lasry expressed deep concern over the rising frequency of personal attacks against judges by both the media and political figures. He argued that such criticisms erode the principle of judicial independence, which he described as crucial for protecting individual rights and limiting governmental power.
Lasry emphasized that when judges face public condemnation or vilification, it reveals much about a society's dedication to maintaining an independent judiciary. He noted that the manner in which politicians discuss judges can provide insight into a nation’s constitutional values. According to Lasry, the increasing normalization of criticizing judges could lead to a situation akin to that experienced in the United States under Trump, where the judiciary faced widespread delegitimization and personal attacks.
During his tenure on the bench, Lasry presided over several high-profile cases, including those involving notorious criminals such as Robert Farquharson, Matthew Johnson, and Sean Price. As a practicing attorney before becoming a judge, Lasry was involved in contentious legal proceedings, including the defense of individuals linked to terrorism and participation in the Costigan royal commission. These experiences have shaped his perspective on the role of the judiciary and the challenges it faces today.
Lasry’s critique appears to target the current government led by Premier Daniel Allan, which has come under pressure due to rising concerns about street crime, youth crime, and the management of bail conditions. The government has reportedly issued internal communications to the judiciary regarding the need to align with public expectations, which were later leaked to the media. One such communication was a letter from Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Richard Niall, urging the judiciary to assist in restoring public confidence in the justice system.
The government has implemented significant reforms to bail laws and the treatment of juvenile offenders in response to a surge in violent crimes and controversial court decisions. According to data from the Crime Statistics Agency, the number of bail breaches increased dramatically, reaching almost 16,900 in the year ending March 2026—nearly a 70 percent increase since the introduction of new offenses related to crimes committed while on bail. These developments have intensified the debate over the balance between public safety and judicial autonomy.
Reactions to Lasry’s speech have varied, with some viewing it as a necessary reminder of the importance of judicial independence, while others see it as a direct challenge to the current government’s policies. The timing of his remarks, coming amid heightened political discourse surrounding the upcoming state elections, suggests that his comments may influence public perception and potentially impact the electoral landscape. As the situation unfolds, the interplay between the judiciary, the executive branch, and the media will remain a focal point in discussions about the future of Australia’s legal framework.
2 reports
The AgeIndependentProgressiveFactual 40Objective 507 days agoFormer Supreme Court judge Lex Lasry criticized politicians and the media for undermining judicial independence through 'performative outrage' and 'political theatre'. His remarks came shortly after he stepped down from the bench and were delivered at a legal conference in Bali. Lasry compared the situation to the United States under President Donald Trump, warning that attacks on judges threaten the separation of powers. He highlighted concerns about increasing personal criticism of judges and suggested this reflects broader societal pressures. The comments are seen as a critique of the Allan government's approach to managing court backlogs and public expectations regarding judicial conduct.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the criticism of judicial independence as a legitimate concern rather than a partisan attack. It emphasizes the importance of judicial autonomy and highlights the influence of political figures like Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, suggesting a left-leaning perspective on the need
Why these scores (Factual 40 · Objective 50): This article mirrors the first one almost exactly, discussing events not covered in the primary source document. It includes fabricated details about Lasry's public speech and political commentary, which are not supported by the original text.
The Sydney Morning HeraldIndependentProgressiveFactual 40Objective 507 days agoFormer Supreme Court judge Lex Lasry criticized politicians and the media for undermining judicial independence through 'performative outrage' and 'political theatre', during a speech shortly after resigning from the bench. His remarks come amid growing tensions in Victoria ahead of a potential law-and-order-focused state election, with the Allan government facing scrutiny over its approach to crime and bail. Lasry compared the situation to the U.S. under Donald Trump, warning of efforts to delegitimize judicial authority. He argued that public criticism of judges reflects broader societal attitudes toward constitutional values and emphasized the importance of judicial independence in protecting rights and constraining power. The speech, initially titled 'Separation of Powers: Then and Now,' was rebranded as 'The Ritualised Art of Shouting at the Scoreboard.'
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames judicial independence as a core democratic value under threat from political and media actors, aligning with progressive concerns about institutional integrity. While the subject is balanced in terms of presenting both perspectives (judicial critique vs. governmental oversight),拉斯
Why these scores (Factual 40 · Objective 50): The article discusses events unrelated to the primary source document, such as Lex Lasry criticizing politicians and the media for undermining judicial independence. These claims are not mentioned in the original document, making the content largely speculative and unfounded.
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