Garfield Barwick
- field
- Law, Politics
- nationality
- Australian
Lore & Background
As Attorney-General, he guided legislation on matrimonial causes, crimes, and restrictive trade practices.
Reader's Guide
Barwick was instrumental in the construction of the High Court building in Canberra. Despite early leadership speculation, he struggled in politics and was seen as a disappointing politician by Menzies.
Did You Know?
- Barwick was the first law graduate from the University of Sydney to become Chief Justice of the High Court.
- He was made bankrupt after guaranteeing a bank loan for his brother's service station and then suing oil companies for defamation.
- The High Court building in Canberra is unofficially known as 'Gar's Mahal' due to Barwick's role in its construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Garfield Barwick's role in the 1975 constitutional crisis?
Sitting as Chief Justice at the time, Barwick was among the senior legal figures consulted by Governor-General John Kerr during the dramatic dismissal of the Whitlam government. He provided constitutional guidance on the withholding of supply and the eventual exercise of the reserve power.
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