Politicians turn law into an ‘ass’
What type of society do we really live in? Lawyer Louis Coutts examines how the rule of law has been pretzeled to the detriment of justice by Australian governments. 8 March 2015
You should care about Creeper Laws
Most new laws wash by people, unconcerned. But proposed data retention laws will gobble up your private life and expose it to the government. Be warned, Eva Cripps says. 7 March 2015
Govt tries to repress journalists
Using secret police probes in a witch-hunt against journalists who reveal refugee processing abuses shows the government doesn’t believe in a free press, and doesn’t want informed citizens. 22 Jan 2015
Is it a duty to encrypt your data?
Proposed mass data retention is so over-the-top repressive, here and in the UK, that some citizens have a positive duty to protect their sources, writes Crikey’s Bernard Keane. 21 Jan 2015
What kind of ABC do we want?
So far the debate has been mostly about funding, Don Aitkin says. But it’s equally important for Australians to decide exactly what type of ABC we want. 3 Dec 2014
Terror laws: some good, some unneeded
Delivering the Lionel Murphy memorial lecture for 2014, Prof George Williams gave this excellent rundown of the status of Australia’s terror laws. MPs, please take note. 6 Nov 2014
The TPP: what’s wrong with it?
As partner countries gathered in Canberra to hold more secret negotiations over the TPP, speakers at a protest outside Parliament House pointed out what is wrong with it. 22 Oct 2014
I could go to jail for this next month
ASIO is in the subterfuge game. That’s why they’re saying harsh anti-privacy laws are targeting jihadists. But that’s not the reason the laws were written. 26 Aug 2014
Data retention strips away your privacy
PISA (police, intelligence and security agencies) want to know everything about your data and you: Bernard Keane explains why that’s not such a reasonable idea. 26 July 2014
Nobody is watching the watchers
Australia’s securitazi are supposedly oversighted by independent agencies and MPs, but in reality nobody closely supervises the shadowy out-of-sight and -mind faceless and nameless operatives. 11 June 2014