Happy Birthday Michael Kirby!

Just thought I'd take the opportunity to wish Justice Michael Kirby of the Australian High Court a happy birthday. Kirby, who is both affectionately and perjoratively known as the dissenting judge turns 69 today. Under current legislation, Kirby has to retire from the High Court at the age of seventy, so he is entering into the final twelve months of his twelve year tenure on the bench. This will be a cause for celebration for some, while others will mourn the loss of the idiosyncratic judge. Regardless of their stance, I am sure that people will agree that the end of the Kirby era will make for a much less interesting High Court.