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Dr Mike Richards (PhD in Political Science) is a long term social campaigner and most notable for his part in the eventual repeal of capital punishment in Australia. With an accomplished career in the media, academia and adviser to governments it was a privilege for the club to have him as guest speaker. His address centred around his extensive research into Australia's last hanged convicted criminal Ronald Ryan and the impact which that event has had since that day in 1967 on all of those directly and indirectly involved. At the time it was a highly political event, only proceeding after the Victorian Government of the day chose not commute the death sentence. This year was the 50th anniversary.
Expanding upon the material in his award winning book The Hanged Man ..the life and death of Ronald Ryan, he related his observations gained from interviews with, and research of various players including the trial judge and counsels, relatives of victims of the underlying crime, government officials, media reps and witnesses to the execution. There was a common theme of a traumatic aftermath and questioning re the role of capital punishment.
The address was a catalyst to open up vibrant discussion on some related issues today namely about the merits of different punishments and deterrents for modern day atrocious crimes (e.g. terror driven massacres). Topically the aspects of granting bail and parole were broached too.
Mike explained how capital punishment has become less prominent in Western cultures in recent years but still persisted in other regions especially Asia. His long term view was that generally it will decline.