The John Nethercote Prize in Australian Constitutional Law

The 2024 John Nethercote Prize in Australian Constitutional Law Essay Competition is now closed.

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 be covered in their curriculum.

This year, The Society invited prospective entrants to respond to the question:

“Should Australia adopt a Commonwealth Bill of Rights?”

For more information, please contact us at contact@samuelgriffith.org.au.

Previous winners

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)

J. R. Nethercote

John Raymond NETHERCOTE was educated at Blakehurst High School, Sydney and the University of Sydney (BA, 1968).

After joining the Commonwealth public service in 1970, he worked over the years for the Public Service Board, the Royal Commission on Australian Government Administration, the Public Service Commission of Canada and the Defence Review Committee.

He joined the staff of the Senate in 1987 and his assignments there included Secretary to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration and overseeing publication of Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice (6th edition).

He also edited Parliament and Bureaucracy (1982) and was a joint editor of The Constitutional Commission and the 1988 Referendums (1988) and The Menzies Era (1995).

After his retirement from the Senate staff, he wrote extensively for The Canberra Times on public service matters and edited numerous works, including eight volumes of Upholding the Australian Constitution (2010-2017).