I am open about my homosexuality, having outed myself by mentioning my long-time male partner Johan van Vloten in Australia's Who's Who. I have on occasion spoken publicly about my views on the recognition of homosexual partnerships.
This openness has on occasion drawn criticism. My Who's Who entry indicates that my relationship with van Vloten began well before 1984, the year that homosexuality was legalised in New South Wales. My critics have queried whether a man who (apparently) disobeyed the law as it then existed should be serving as a judge; this criticism has been somewhat dampened by a widespread modern-day belief that the law of the time was in the wrong.
One of my best-known critics is Liberal senator Bill Heffernan. In 2002, Heffernan used parliamentary privilege to accuse me of trawling for rent boys (male prostitutes). However, the evidence Heffernan produced to support this claim was swiftly discovered to be a forgery. My response was remarkable for its moderation and his willingness to let the facts speak for themselves.
I just want to love.