Is it Force or farce?

A monumental stuff-up by an Australian federal department made The Japan Times recently: Australia is increasingly portrayed internationally as a pariah nation when it comes to liberties and rights.  5 Sept 2015

 

Cleese’s impression of silly talks

So, having decided that an imaginary “fair-minded lay observer” could not reasonably find that he might be biased (by agreeing to give a talk to a Liberal lawyers’ function), Royal Commissioner John Cleese has determined that he should not step-down from his position (‘Trade Union Royal Commission: Dyson Heydon saves his own skin’, Canberra Times, 1 September 2015).   Some might argue that the merits of Cleese’s decision could easily be tested by counting-up the number of accused facing our nation’s courts who would find themselves guilty, if the decision was left up to them. Others might apply the “pub test”,Continue reading

Reappointment lacks transparent process

The ACT Bar Association has publicly criticised the government for its sneaky reappointment of Jon White as the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions notwithstanding his appointment was originally for a period of seven years. The response from outgoing Attorney-General Simon Corbell that the reappointment was “in line with” a proposal yet to be considered by government to limit the appointment of the DPP to a 10-year term is a contemptuous response from a failed politician at the end of his tenure. Mr Corbell was re-elected by the skin of his teeth at the last election and has shown time andContinue reading