Selden Society 2026 lecture one: 'Reds under the bed'—75 years since the Communist Party case

Supreme Court Library Queensland, on behalf of the Selden Society (Australian Chapter), invites you to the first lecture in the 2026 Selden Society lecture series. 

'Reds under the bed'—75 years since the Communist Party case 
Presented by the Hon Glenn Martin AM KC 
Thursday 16 April 2026, 5.15 for 5.30pm 
Banco Court, level 3, Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law  

This lecture is free to attend. Light refreshments will be served in the Portrait Gallery afterwards. 

If you are unable to attend in person, the lecture will also be livestreamed. Register via Zoom. 

About the lecture 

The Communist Party case is one of the High Court’s most important decisions. In a high-profile legal battle, the argument before the Court pitted a future Chief Justice of Australia, Garfield Barwick KC, against the then Leader of the Opposition, Bert Evatt KC, to determine the constitutionality of the Communist Party Dissolution Act 1950. 

It reaffirmed that the Commonwealth cannot simply assert a threat to national security and legislate beyond constitutional limits. It placed constitutional principle above political fear and remains a cornerstone of Australian rule of law doctrine. The case shaped later jurisprudence on the defence power, emergency powers, and the separation of judicial and executive authority.  

About the speaker 

The Hon Glenn Martin AM KC is a former judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland (2007–2025) and served as Senior Judge Administrator (2022–25). His honour previously led both the Australian Bar Association and the Bar Association of Queensland. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2013 for significant service to the law. 

Enquiries

• 1300 SCLQLD (1300 725 753)

• www.sclqld.org.au/contact