The Rule of Power vs the Rule of Law: Palestine, Israel and Australian Democracy

Australia’s alliance with Israel persists despite credible allegations of genocide and growing domestic dissent. This panel will examine how lawyers, public servants, and civil society can hold government accountable for foreign policy that defies a rules-based world order.

This event is hosted in collaboration with ACT Muslim Lawyers.

Speakers' bios:

Mussa Hijazi (panelist)

Originally born in Canberra, Mussa returned to Palestine as a child where he grew up in a small village in the south of Palestine.  In 1987 he witnessed the first Palestinian Intifada.  He returned to Australia when he was 16.  He later became a lawyer and has practised exclusively in Property and Commercial Law since 2001.  He now practices as a commercial lawyer and partner of Hijazi Curran Cameron Lawyers.  Prior to founding Hijazi Curran Cameron Lawyers, Mussa was a Partner of a well-respected Family and Commercial law firm in Canberra.  Mussa has attended more than 100 pro-Palestine rallies in the last 2 years many of which he has led.  He has campaigned for the ACT government to cut ties with Israel, and has faced the reticence of Canberra media to platform Palestinians.

Senator Fatima Payman (panelist)

Senator Fatima Payman is a fearless advocate and a strong voice for Western Australia in the Federal Parliament. Raised in Perth’s northern suburbs, she is the proud daughter of an Afghan refugee whose hard work and perseverance shaped her values of integrity, resilience, and dedication to community service. In 2022, Fatima made history as the first hijab wearing Senator and the fifth youngest in Australia’s history. Since then, she has built a reputation for bold and unapologetic advocacy - standing up for workers, families, and communities who have been ignored by the political establishment for too long. Committed to transparency, justice, and real accountability, Fatima is WA’s only independent Senator. She continues to champion the issues that matter most - fair wages, affordable housing, cost-of-living relief, and ensuring that government works for the people, not just the powerful. 

Greg Barns SC (panelist)

Greg Barns SC practices in criminal law, administrative law and abuse cases.  He is a member of the Tasmanian, Victorian, WA and NZ Bars.  He teaches at RMIT University Law School.  Greg is a former National President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance.  He has written extensively for Pearls and Irritations on the Gaza conflict.  Greg has helped organise two letters from Australian lawyers condemning Israel's war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Gaza.  He is also advising pro bono students who are the subject of disciplinary actions by universities for participating in pro Palestinian protests.

Shane Rattenbury MLA (facilitator)

Shane Rattenbury MLA is an elected member for Kurrajong and the Leader of the ACT Greens. Shane was first elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2008, and has served as Speaker and crossbench MLA, as well as holding various Ministries. Shane became an environmental advocate at a young age, inspired by campaigns to prevent ozone depletion, protect Antarctica and stop logging of native forests.  Shane started working for Greenpeace Australia in 1998. In 2005, as head of their global oceans campaign, he led an expedition of ships to Antarctica to confront the Japanese whaling fleet. In 2007, as International Political Director, Shane led the Greenpeace delegation at climate change negotiations in Bali, which successfully started the process for the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol. When elected in 2008 Shane became the first Greens Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly, and the first Green party speaker in any Parliament in the world. Through successive Parliamentary Agreements negotiated with ACT Labor, Shane has achieved a wide range of positive Green policy outcomes for Canberrans.