The Ian Callinan Prize in Australian Constitutional Law
This essay competition offers students and young lawyers an exceptional opportunity to delve deeper into Australian constitutional law while developing their writing skills, exploring new ideas, and engaging with a topic that may not have been covered in their curriculum.
The competition is open to:
all Australian residents aged 35 years and under, and
all students enrolled in an undergraduate degree course at an Australian university (regardless of age).
Entries must include a cover page indicating the entrants full name, the university in which they are enrolled (if applicable), the title of their essay, and their essay’s word count. Entrants must also provide an email address and telephone number at which they may be contacted.
First prize also includes paid flights, accommodation and admission to the conference, as well as a $500 cash prize.
Shortlisted runners-up will also be recognised at the conference, and all eligible entrants will automatically be considered for scholarships to attend.
The 2025 Ian Callinan Prize in Australian Constitutional Law Essay Competition is now closed.
Joshua Fukushige was presented as the winner of this year’s essay competition at the Society’s 2025 Conference in Perth.
Previous Topics
2025
“Should the Constitution be amended to define the scope of and limitations upon the Governor-General’s reserve powers?”
“In what circumstances should the Chief Justice of Australia provide advice to the Executive Government in relation to questions of constitutional interpretation?”
In your answer, please refer to the 1975 dismissal of the Whitlam Government.
2024
“Should Australia adopt a Commonwealth Bill of Rights?”
2022/23
“Should the Constitution be amended to establish an ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Voice', as proposed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese?”
2021
“What do you view as the most significant constitutional implication of the Commonwealth or a state government’s response to COVID-19, and why?”
2019
“Which decision of the High Court of Australia in the field of federalism do you regard to be wrongly decided, and why?”
2018
“Should Australia hold a plebiscite on the question of whether to become a republic?”
2017
“Would Australia benefit from a ‘US-style’ confirmation process for appointments to the High Court?”
2016
“Is originalism a useful approach to constitutional interpretation in Australia?”
Previous winners
2025 - Joshua Fukushige (NSW)
2024 - Henry Palmerlee (ACT)
2023 - Henry Dudesin (ACT)
2022 - Antonia Bellas (QLD)
2019 - Catherine Bugler (QLD)
2018 - Charlotte Choi (VIC)
2017 - Edward Fowler (ACT)
2016 - Holly Gretton (WA)
The Honourable Ian Callinan AC, KC
Ian Callinan was born in Casino, New South Wales, and educated at Brisbane Grammar School. He studied law at the University of Queensland, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1960.
He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1960 and became a barrister in 1965. Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1978, he went on to hold senior positions within the profession, including President of the Queensland Bar Association (1984–1987) and the Australian Bar Association (1984–1985).
In February 1998, Mr Callinan was appointed a Justice of the High Court of Australia, serving until his retirement on 31 August 2007 upon reaching the constitutional retirement age of 70.
He was elected President of the Samuel Griffith Society in August 2010 at its Twenty-Second Conference in Perth and has since become the Society’s longest-serving President (2010-2024), leading it with distinction for fourteen years. During his tenure, he presided over twelve conferences, including the Society’s first in Tasmania and a record-breaking final conference that drew 330 attendees.
