Diet Federalism: A constitutional right to ignore the rule of law?
Since 1915, the territories have been denied the constitutional right to trial by jury.
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LATEST NEWS
Sep 24
Diet Federalism: Are the territories an afterthought?
Australia’s territories sit at the bottom of the federal pyramid of Australian governments.
Sep 11
Diet Federalism: From governed to self-governed
How Australia's territories have developed.
Oct 29, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #75: Can international law provide a solution to the Voice?
Debate over creating an Indigenous body to make representations to the government has led some to consider international treaties instead.
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 14, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #73: Australia's referendum system makes change hard
The double majority required for a referendum means the Yes campaign faces an uphill battle.
Sep 17, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #69: The 'race power' redefined
Why Australian legislation can be used to affect a particular race.
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 12, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #64(20): Greens cannabis bill to rely on intellectual property law
The Greens have introduced a bill to legalise cannabis in the second week of federal parliament's sitting this financial year.
Jul 24, 2023
Victorian Greens seek to amend constitution to prevent thermal coal mining
The hurdles for amending a state constitution make a Greens bill, introduced in May, unlikely to pass.
Jul 2, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #58: New Russian Embassy plans cancelled by federal government
The High Court has rejected a Russian challenge to a ban on their new embassy.
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.
May 20, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #52: Federalism and the Healthcare Crisis
How much can the Commonwealth government help the healthcare crisis?
Apr 15, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #47: The Statute of Westminster
The history of how Australia achieved true independence from the U.K.
Apr 14, 2023
The Franklin Dam controversy: When politics meets the law
How Australia’s treaty obligations can change Australian law.
Apr 11, 2023
EXPLAINED: Kansas bans trans athletes from girls’ and women's sports, overriding governor's veto
The controversial law enforces biological gender categories in school sports.
Apr 5, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #45: Referendum, plebiscite or postal survey?
The latest on the upcoming Voice to Parliament vote.
Apr 1, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #44: Labor won't form majority - so what is a confidence-and-supply deal?
1 week on from the NSW state election.
Mar 19, 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.
Mar 4, 2023
Common(wealth) Knowledge #40: An independent Prime Minister - once in a teal moon
A look at whether it is possible for an independent to become the Prime Minister of Australia.
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