CPICL and AACL Hosted Engaging Discussion on Executive Power in the Age of Trump

On 27 August 2025, the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Association of Constitutional Law (AACL), in partnership with the UQ Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law (CPICL), hosted a timely event titled “A Surprising Step Toward an Imperial Presidency? Faithful execution of the laws and executive power in the age of Trump.”

The event brought together two of Australia’s most distinguished constitutional law experts: Gim Del Villar KC, Solicitor-General for Queensland, and Professor Emerita Anne Twomey from the University of Sydney. Their presentations offered sharp insights into the evolving dynamics of executive power in the United States, particularly during the Trump presidency, and reflected on the implications for constitutional law scholarship more broadly.

The session was chaired by Dr Peta Stephenson, Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology, who guided a lively and thoughtful discussion.

The event was very well attended, attracting participants from across the profession, including members of government, the private bar, academia, and students. The strong turnout, which included interstate guests, reflected the high level of interest in constitutional law debates of international and comparative significance.

Through this event, CPICL and the AACL once again demonstrated their commitment to fostering critical dialogue on constitutional issues that resonate both in Australia and internationally.