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)
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)