As the Actor represents Everyman, so Paul Hogan represents us all over the bureaucratic inequities of oppressive legality and secrecy laws in Australia. He is now locked in the debtor's prison the nation is becoming, reverting to its penal role two centu… more »

The processes of an almost 'secret' Senate Select Committee on Reform of the Australian Federation (SCRAF) should re-start completely, CLA says. SCRAF's inquiry was totally swamped by the August 2010 federal election: the questions asked of the committee… more »

Julian Assange's Wikileaks has brought the US far right out of the woodwork again, where they have been hibernating since President Bush's days. One, Marc Thiessen, seems to be suggesting Assange should be kidnapped and renditioned by the US for revealin… more »

CLA works with advanced and honours students on topics of mutual interest, where the student gains credits for 'internship' programs or honours studies, and CLA benefits from excellent research papers which help to shape a current or future dilemma. See… more »

The Gillard/Conroy connection has closed off debate on internet censorship by releasing, under FOI, an secret industry consultation document with more than 90% blacked out. The reason for the blackout: fear of "premature unnecessary debate".   Read more… more »

What's wrong with the bikie legislation in NSW, SA and other states? In this interview, CLA Director and Media Spokesperson, Tim Vines, explains to the Atticus program on 2SER radio why bikie legislation is a danger to any form of social protest.  Liste… more »

There's a gale of fresh thought sweeping the UK after its recent election...and Her Majesty's Government is leading the way by launching, on 1 July 2010, a new website which asks British people for ideas on how to restore their civil liberties! When will… more »

Editor, West Australian: I respond to your report 'Frustrated DPP sees flaws in quality of police probe' 29 June 2010, p7. I have read Coroner Alastair Hope's report on Aborigine elder Mr Ward's death in custody, in the back of a prison transfer van,… more »

The action of the Japanese Prime Minister in resigning caused Judy Bamberger to wonder what would cut Aussie pollies to the core. One seriously core promise Japan's PM has resigned, being unable to keep an election promise. He promised less subservient… more »

Judy Bamberger is an Australian by choice, and she's fed up with Australian Parliamentarians from both major parties "wasting their time, our money, ...". It's time to grow up! Would each Member and Senator of Parliament please give the Australian publ… more »

The government's own censorship laws will prevent Senator Conroy's proposed internet filtering method of using the 'refused application' classification process, Prof George Williams writes. "Unworkable and unsuitable" is how he describes the current proposal, in legal terms. … more »

The relatively new Human Rights Council has created new power blocs in international affairs. Australia will come under the spotlight in the four-yearly Universal Periodic Review, in early 2011, of how well we're doing as a nation in terms of ensuring th… more »

A man's serving five years in jail in Queensland for customs duty evasion, a federal offence. Anywhere else in Australia he would be free. Is this a fair go? Here Tim Vines outlines how 'justice' in Australia depends on where you live. And there's also s… more »

Editor, CLA Your Opinion: The Tax Commissioner's defence of his powers to break into homes and businesses without judicial warrants as 'trust me, I'm a good guy' is a dangerous argument. Powers such as these should be resisted when proposed, and removed… more »

Ideological but illogical, inefficient and expensive...words that sum up how the Australian Government buys in its legal expertise, Ernst Willheim says in analysing the recently-released Legal Services Procurement Report. The report has some excellent re… more »