Former High Court judge Michael Kirby has spoken to World News Australia Presenter Anton Enus about proposed changes to the rules of succession for the British throne and other reforms to the way the Commonwealth is run.
British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to Commonwealth leaders proposing that the law be changed so that males should no longer automatically take precedence as successor to the crown.
Michael Kirby is part of an Eminent Persons Group charged with proposing reforms to the Commonwealth.
He says the proposed changes to the rules of succession for the British throne are in line with the proposed Commonwealth reforms.
Watch the video on YouTube:
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Anton Enus also asked Mr Kirby to explain the reasons behind a proposal to have a Commonwealth commissioner that oversees human rights and the rule of law.
"The Commonwealth has prided itself on being an institution of quiet diplomacy, and it is true that some problems can be solved by going around people the back way and talking to people quietly and not pointing a finger, but on the other hand, when you have a crisis where you have a persistent or serious breach of fundamental rights in an elected democracy, you really need to be visible," Mr Kirby said.
"The problem is that the Commonwealth has often opted for silence and that has made people question its value and its utility".
In the following interview, Anton Enus also asks Mr Kirby to talk about his memoirs 'A Private Life: Fragments, Memories, Friends'.
Watch an extended version of the interview on YouTube:
