Back
Politics

Former Supreme Court judge criticizes political and media attacks on judicial independence

Generated on: Last updated: 1 sources
View source

Speech at Criminal Lawyers Association NT Conference

Former Judge Lasry Warns of ‘Performative Outrage’ Undermining Judicial Independence

Bali, June 29, 2026 — Former Victorian and Northern Territory Supreme Court judge Lex Lasry delivered a pointed farewell speech just days after leaving the bench, accusing politicians and media of compromising judicial independence through “performative outrage” and “political theatre.”

Lasry warned that Australia risks following the trajectory of the United States under President Donald Trump, where the judiciary is systematically undermined by personal attacks.

“The key qualities for judges are impartiality and independence, not satisfying 'community expectations' driven by media commentary.”

Political Context: Victoria’s Law-and-Order Election

Lasry’s comments come ahead of a potential law-and-order state election in Victoria, scheduled for November 2026. The Allan government faces mounting pressure over street crime, youth crime, and the bail system.

Key developments:

  • Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny wrote to the Chief Justice in March 2025, urging the judiciary to help re-establish public trust.
  • Bail breaches rose nearly 70%, reaching almost 16,900 in the year to March 2026.
  • The government introduced “adult time for violent crime” laws, moving serious violent cases from the Children's Court to the County Court.

Specific Criticisms

Lasry singled out two political figures in his speech:

  • Former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton’s 2018 comment blaming “lily-livered judges and magistrates” for street crime.
  • Victorian Liberal shadow attorney-general James Newbury’s April 2026 statement that a Liberal government would ensure judges meet “community expectations.”

Lasry argued that “community expectations” often translate into heavier sentences demanded by media commentary, rather than justice rooted in impartiality and independence.

Lasry’s Resignation and Complaint

Lasry resigned from Victoria’s Supreme Court as a reserve judge in February 2024 after learning of a complaint from then Director of Public Prosecutions Kerri Judd. The complaint stemmed from his public criticism of the DPP’s decision to withdraw charges in the Eastern Freeway case.

He subsequently served as an acting justice in the Northern Territory until June 2026, when he retired to launch a podcast.