Anti-terror laws and the knowledge gap

Two new reports spell out pragmatic and overdue reforms to Australia’s anti-terrorism laws. But does the political will exist to act, ask Jessie Blackbourn and Nicola McGarrity

23 May 13 | Comments (0)

Asking the wrong questions about gambling

Are Australian gamblers getting value for money, asks Darryl Woodford 21 Mar 13 | Comments (0)

The Arms Trade Treaty: has a good idea already failed?

A treaty alone won’t make significant inroads into the global arms trade, writes Stephanie Koorey

14 Mar 13 | Comments (0)

Caribbean copyright showdown

Antigua has taken a high-stakes roll of the dice, write Ramon Lobato and Darryl Woodford

31 Jan 13 | Comments (0)

The year in truth

Jock Given looks back on 2012, the year the reality gap seemed to widen

06 Dec 12 | Comments (0)

From scandal to reform: Leveson’s way forward

The Leveson report’s case for more rigorous press accountability was immediately undercut by David Cameron, but despite the cheers from the tabloids, the prime minister has backed himself into a dangerous corner, writes Rodney Tiffen

| Comments (0)

Time for a referendum roadmap

Constitutional reform has stalled, writes Paul Kildea. But that provides the opportunity to rethink how we go about achieving change

09 Nov 12 | Comments (1)

Family matters

There are plenty of ways we can leave our money, but Australians remain remarkably conservative when they prepare their wills, write Michael Gilding and Christopher Baker

28 Oct 12 | Comments (0)

Across the African divide

Ralph Johnstone meets the people at the sharp end of the complex challenges facing young refugees from Africa

12 Sep 12 | Comments (1)

The devil’s in the detail

Savitri Taylor takes a close look at the asylum seeker agreements between Australia and Nauru and PNG

05 Sep 12 | Comments (0)

Wicked problems and good intentions

The federal government has taken the risky punt that bad policies can achieve good results, argues Savitri Taylor in this analysis of the report of the expert panel on asylum seekers and the government’s initial legislation

20 Aug 12 | Comments (1)

Just the beginning of a national security debate

The government has launched an inquiry into the powers of intelligence agencies, and already there are worrying signs, write Jennifer Goh and Nicola McGarrity. It is vital that civil liberties are a core issue in this debate

02 Aug 12 | Comments (0)

Reconciling rights and sovereignty

Andy Lamey’s book, Frontier Justice, would make useful reading for the prime minister’s expert panel on asylum seekers, writes Klaus Neumann

19 Jul 12 | Comments (0)

Roxon’s High Court dilemma

At a time when the court’s decisions are making life complicated for the government, Nicola Roxon is faced with two new appointments to the bench. Andrew Lynch looks at the factors she’ll be taking into account

09 Jul 12 | Comments (3)

What has the Bali Process got to do with it?

The amendments to the Migration Act rejected by the Senate would have reduced the incentive for the federal government to pursue refugee protection through the Bali Process regional cooperation framework, writes Savitri Taylor

02 Jul 12 | Comments (0)

A pyrrhic victory for federalists?

Despite first impressions, the High Court’s decision in the chaplaincy case was far from a clear victory for federalism. Graeme Orr looks at what it means for how the federal government spends its money

26 Jun 12 | Comments (2)

Unlocking native title

The system needs attitudinal change as much as it needs Nicola Roxon’s proposed legislative reforms, writes Sean Brennan

14 Jun 12 | Comments (1)

Genetic injustices

DNA evidence has exonerated nearly 300 prisoners in the United States, writes Jeremy Gans. But an Australian case highlights its messiness and potential to mislead

07 Jun 12 | Comments (2)

Varieties of historical justice

The Nuremberg trials were not typical of how the Allies dispensed justice after the second world war, writes Klaus Neumann

05 Jun 12 | Comments (0)

Ending Sydney’s law-and-order auction

The NSW attorney-general has taken the politically risky step of trying to reduce the prison population, writes Robert Milliken

03 Apr 12 | Comments (3)