Boyer Lectures 03 | Larissa Behrendt: Justice, ideas, inclusion
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Nov 1, 2025 
Larissa Behrendt, a distinguished law professor from the Euahlayi/Gamilaroi nation, discusses the intersection of law, democracy, and Indigenous rights. She critiques the Constitution's racial biases and advocates for truth-telling as a means to build social cohesion. Larissa emphasizes the importance of storytelling in mobilizing empathy and educating future generations. She also argues for the incorporation of Indigenous philosophies into Australian democracy, crafting a narrative that celebrates inclusivity and shared history.
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Personal Legal Formation During Terra Nullius
- Larissa Behrendt trained as a lawyer during terra nullius and witnessed Mabo reshape property law.
- She recounts law's role in dispossession, massacre silence, and reinforcing segregation.
Law Reflects Power And Voice
- The law is shaped by power and reflects who has a voice and who does not.
- Larissa Behrendt argues we must ensure the law listens to those too often silenced to achieve fairness.
Strengths In Australian Institutions
- Australia has resilient democratic institutions like an independent judiciary and compulsory preferential voting.
- These systems support stability where governments change by ballots rather than violence.