Today, it’s easy to take for granted our ability to read any book we choose, but it wasn’t always this way. Until the 1970s, Australia was governed by some of the most severe censorship regulations in the Western world. The publication of Phillip Roth's book Portnoy's Complaint in 1969 proved to be the tipping point for fundamental change to censorship in Australia.


From secret print runs, illegal sales and bootleg copies to colourful court scenes including testimony from Australian literary icons like Patrick White, this story will make you think twice about the freedoms we now have to read whatever we choose.

Today, it’s easy to take for granted our ability to read any book we choose, but it wasn’t always this way. Until the 1970s, Australia was governed by some of the most severe censorship regulations in the Western world. The publication of Phillip Roth's book Portnoy's Complaint in 1969 proved to be the tipping point for fundamental change to censorship in Australia.
 From secret print runs, illegal sales and bootleg copies to colourful court scenes including testimony from Australian literary icons like Patrick White, this story will make you think twice about the freedoms we now have to read whatever we choose.

This year Allens will turn 200. Having begun in 1822 as a one-person legal practice in a modest cottage on in Elizabeth Street in Sydney, today Allens is Australia’s oldest law firm. Allens has grown with Australia, advising on many of the landmark major economic and social events that have shaped the nation. 
Join us as we relive some of the highlights from the first 200 years of Allens and explore their impact on our lives today.

This year Allens will turn 200. Having begun in 1822 as a one-person legal practice in a modest cottage on in Elizabeth Street in Sydney, today Allens is Australia’s oldest law firm. Allens has grown with Australia, advising on many of the landmark major economic and social events that have shaped the nation.  Join us as we relive some of the highlights from the first 200 years of Allens and explore their impact on our lives today.

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