George Williams was the Centre’s Foundation Director (2001-2008). He established the reputation of the Centre, rapidly building its profile and its community of academics, focusing on original research of international standard as a basis for wider engagement. An annual constitutional law conference, designed to bring together people from government, the profession, the judiciary and academia, was successful from its initial outing in 2002 and, for many people in the field, it has become a must attend event. In reflecting on the aspirations he had in these early years, George wrote:
“In establishing the Centre I sought to institute projects around questions of public law that were of significance to national and local debates about Australia’s future. This involved as the first and most important step building a body of original research of international standard.
Once done, this enabled the Centre to play a leading role in policy debates through parliamentary and other inquiries, but also via contributions through the media. Our philosophy was based upon the idea that Australians deserve access to credible information about how their system of government works, and that universities have a responsibility not just to produce first-rate scholarship, but to communicate this to the broader community. I also sought to locate the Centre as a meeting point for the wide range of people interested in public law, including those from government, the judiciary and profession.
Establishing the Centre took enormous effort by a range of people. If I was to point to my most significant achievement as Director, it lay in having the good fortune to attract a group of new scholars interested in public law and public policy who themselves were on the cusp of great things. Their efforts as part of our team built a body of exceptional research that was well communicated in academic and wider circles. They also created a vibrant and inclusive culture that over time has been built upon by further generations of scholars."
Following George's establishment of the Centre, the Centre has been directed by:
Andrew Lynch (2008-2013)
Sean Brennan (2014-2018)
Rosalind Dixon (2019-2025)
Under the leadership of each of these leading public law academics, the Centre has gone from strength to strength. The number of academic staff and PhD students associated with the Centre has grown. Many of those who studied PhDs in the Centre are now leading barristers, academics, or senior leaders in the government or community sectors. The Centre has also developed international linkages, including formal collaborations with the public law centres at: Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Ottawa, Hong Kong University, the National University of Singapore, and Trinity College, Dublin.
For 25 years, the Centre has informed public debate, policy and law reform on topics at the centre of Australian democracy. In its early years, much of the Centre’s work was focussed on debates about anti-terrorism laws, citizenship, human rights and the separation of powers in the aftermath of September 11. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre’s expertise on delegated legislation and emergency powers were particularly important in understanding and explaining governments’ actions. The decade of work by Centre members on Indigenous rights and recognition laid the foundations for the Voice Referendum in 2023, and Centre members provided expert commentary and analysis throughout the campaign. Through its high quality public law research and engagement, the Centre has worked to make a positive impact on law reform, promote public law values, inform debate and promoted participation in Australia's democracy.
The current Centre Director is Janina Boughey.