Diet Federalism: Are the territories an afterthought?
Australia’s territories sit at the bottom of the federal pyramid of Australian governments.
top of page
LATEST NEWS
- May 11
High court dismisses Iranian immigration detainee's bid for freedom
The High Court has dismissed an Iranian man’s bid for freedom from immigration detention The detainee argued a previous decision it was...
- Dec 31, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #84: Reflections and predictions - 2023 edition
Some of the most topical legal issues going into 2024.
- Dec 23, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #83: Cases we missed in 2023
Wrapping up the year that was in law and government coverage on 6 News.
- Nov 19, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #78: Government overhauls indefinite detention after High Court ruling
A second High Court migration case in as many weeks sends the government back to the drawing board.
- Nov 4, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #76: High Court farewells its first female Chief Justice
Final High Court judgments involving Chief Justice Susan Kiefel have been handed down.
- Oct 22, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #74: High Court overturns Victorian tax on electric vehicles
The High Court paves the way for a federal fuel excise for electric vehicles.
- Oct 7, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #72: The Voice, Treaties and the assumption of Sovereignty
Without the involvement of international law, the question of Australian sovereignty cannot be challenged.
- Aug 27, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #66: Another year, another High Court appointment
Justice Beech-Jones will be the 4th judge appointed in as many years.
- Aug 19, 2023
Commonwealth Knowledge #65: RSPCA advised lawsuit over greyhounds being kicked and beaten 'unlikely'
Although the RSPCA has been given advice that a criminal case would be unlikely to succeed, this is not certain.
- Jul 23, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #61: Social Security and Equality
New court discussion on the right to social security in Australia.
- Jul 16, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #60: Is the pension age racist?
Aboriginal man Dennis Fisher unsuccessfully challenged the pension age by relying on his shorter life expectancy.
- Jun 17, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #56: Queensland youth justice system examined by High Court
High Court upholds Queensland legislation that treats adult and child guilty verdicts differently.
- Jun 10, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #55: Report into Esther Foundation finds $4 million grant 'likely unlawful'
A $4 million grant given to a rehab facility by the Commonwealth government in 2019 likely lacked legal authority.
- Apr 25, 2023
ANALYSIS: Fair trial and the right to legal representation
Although often taken for granted, the right to legal representation is a relatively new right in Australia.
- Apr 15, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #47: The Statute of Westminster
The history of how Australia achieved true independence from the U.K.
- Apr 13, 2023
The Franklin Dam controversy: When politics meets the law
How Australia’s treaty obligations can change Australian law.
- Apr 7, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #46: Australian law and the best interests of children
International treaties signed by the Australian government can influence Australian law.
- Mar 18, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #42: Why Australia can't ban political parties
More than 8 decades on from Menzies first attempting to ban the Communist Party of Australia.
- Feb 25, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #39: Overriding the Human Rights Act and supremacy of Parliament
A look at human rights protections in Australia and the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty.
bottom of page