Peter Coroneos, who is organising the forthcoming 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Internet in Australia drew this wonderful piece to my attention.

Peter said: "I must say that watching the esteemed judge, who was designated in 1997 as an "Australian Living Treasure” in recognition of his humanity and contribution to Australian society, reminded me of his powerful oratory and his ability to bring reasoned insights to tricky questions around how technology should or should not be regulated.

"He was nicknamed "The Great Dissenter” for his sometimes controversial decisions while on the bench, which saw him rule on some groundbreaking technology cases including the Gutnick decision regarding internet defamation in 2002 and the 2005 Sony v Stephens Case around the legality of regional zoning of computer games.

"As Michael Kirby talks about his views on regulating technology, I was struck by how much the issues remain very relevant today. The transcript of his address is on the High Court of Australia website here".

Peter asks: "Do you agree with Michael Kirby's cautions on regulating the Net? Do you think we have progressed much since 2008 when he gave this talk? Or have we gone backwards?"

The full speech by Michael Kirby is embedded in six parts below, and uploaded to YouTube by John Hilvert.

1. Judge Michael Kirby's preamble to IIA Gala on Net Regulation

2. Judge Michael Kirby at IIA Gala: Parable 1 on Net Regulation

3. Judge Michael Kirby at IIA Gala: Parable 2 on Net Regulation

4. Judge Michael Kirby at IIA Gala: Parable 3 on Net Regulation

5. Judge Michael Kirby at IIA Gala: Parable 4A on Net Regulation

6. Judge Michael Kirby at IIA Gala: Parable 4B on Net Regulation

The original article announcing the 30iGala event is here: "INVITATION: Celebrate 30 years of the Internet in Australia with a special Gala Dinner on October 31 in Sydney". 

The following article was published earlier this week: "30iGala: Alastair MacGibbon to speak at Internet Gala Event, plus how to win a free ticket". 

This was then followed up with "6 WEEKS until 30iGala: Peter Coroneos and Peter Price AM talk icode, the White House and Internet history".

30iGala - Remembering Internet history: Peter Coroneos video interviews Alex Zaharov-Reutt.

To learn more and attend the 30iGala event yourself, the event website is here - I hope you can make it on the night, there's just 5 weeks to go!