Sally Warhaft, Richard Di Natale and Fiona Patten in discussion at the Wheeler Centre — Photo: Jon Tjhia

In the 1980s, Australia was an early adopter of free needle syringe distribution programmes. At the height of the AIDS epidemic, this controversial harm-reduction strategy played a crucial role in mitigating the spread of HIV among Australian injecting drug-users.

Despite our history of success with harm-reduction approaches, legislators – and large portions of the public – remain squeamish about these policies. Across Australia, parliaments are still more inclined to pass punitive anti-drug laws. But is this working, and is this even cost-effective, in the context of our spreading problems with ice?

Richard Di Natale and Fiona Patten both worked, in differing capacities, in public health prior to their careers in politics. Both have been vocal and active with regards to drug legislation since entering parliament. With Sally Warhaft, the pair discuss the possibilities and limitations of harm reduction in Australia.

Fiona Patten — Photo: Jon Tjhia

Richard Di Natale — Photo: Jon Tjhia

Geoffrey Robertson at the Athenaeum Theatre — Photo: Jon Tjhia

He’s sparred with General Pinochet and Princess Diana. He’s stepped out with Nigella Lawson and, of course, Kathy Lette. He’s defended Salman Rushdie and worked alongside Amal Clooney. Geoffrey Robertson is a figure of uncommon energy, glamour and intellect.

Alongside his distinguished career as a human rights lawyer in London, Robertson has, for more than 30 years, enjoyed a parallel career as an author and broadcaster. His books on war crimes, free speech and the Vatican have shaped public debates. His famous TV series, Geoffrey Robertson's Hypotheticals, schooled generations in the discipline of Socratic questioning.

His latest book, Rather His Own Man, tells the colourful story of his life – from his days at Epping Boys High School to his Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford to the epic legal battles that have taken him to the UK Supreme Court, the European Court of Human Rights and appeal courts in Trinidad, Mauritius and more. Throughout famous trials and the ups and downs of family life, Robertson has held onto his irreverence, his principles and his commitment to human rights.

At the Athenaeum Theatre, this formidable Australian intellectual talks life, career, hypotheticals and humanity.