High Court of Australia

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Common(wealth) Knowledge #108: Pauline Hanson and free speech in Australia

Dec 1

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Common(wealth) Knowledge #108: Pauline Hanson and free speech in Australia

The shift away from freedom of speech will be problematic for Pauline Hanson in her discrimination case.

Diet Federalism: First Territory Senators' Case - The right to representation

Oct 18

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Diet Federalism: First Territory Senators' Case - The right to representation

The NT and ACT won representation in the Senate before being given self-government.

Diet Federalism: A constitutional right to ignore the rule of law?

Oct 9

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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.

Diet Federalism: Are the territories an afterthought?

Sep 24

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Diet Federalism: Are the territories an afterthought?

Australia’s territories sit at the bottom of the federal pyramid of Australian governments.

High court dismisses Iranian immigration detainee's bid for freedom

May 11

National

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...

Common(wealth) Knowledge #84: Reflections and predictions - 2023 edition

Dec 31, 2023

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Common(wealth) Knowledge #84: Reflections and predictions - 2023 edition

Some of the most topical legal issues going into 2024.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #83: Cases we missed in 2023

Dec 23, 2023

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Common(wealth) Knowledge #83: Cases we missed in 2023

Wrapping up the year that was in law and government coverage on 6 News.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #78: Government overhauls indefinite detention after High Court ruling

Nov 19, 2023

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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.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #76: High Court farewells its first female Chief Justice

Nov 4, 2023

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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.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #74: High Court overturns Victorian tax on electric vehicles

Oct 22, 2023

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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.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #72: The Voice, Treaties and the assumption of Sovereignty

Oct 7, 2023

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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.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #66: Another year, another High Court appointment

Aug 27, 2023

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Common(wealth) Knowledge #66: Another year, another High Court appointment

Justice Beech-Jones will be the 4th judge appointed in as many years.

Commonwealth Knowledge #65: RSPCA advised lawsuit over greyhounds being kicked and beaten 'unlikely'

Aug 19, 2023

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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.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #61: Social Security and Equality

Jul 23, 2023

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Common(wealth) Knowledge #61: Social Security and Equality

New court discussion on the right to social security in Australia.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #60: Is the pension age racist?

Jul 16, 2023

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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.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #56: Queensland youth justice system examined by High Court

Jun 17, 2023

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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.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #55: Report into Esther Foundation finds $4 million grant 'likely unlawful'

Jun 10, 2023

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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.

ANALYSIS: Fair trial and the right to legal representation

Apr 25, 2023

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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.

Common(wealth) Knowledge #47: The Statute of Westminster

Apr 15, 2023

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Common(wealth) Knowledge #47: The Statute of Westminster

The history of how Australia achieved true independence from the U.K.

The Franklin Dam controversy: When politics meets the law

Apr 14, 2023

GovCheck

The Franklin Dam controversy: When politics meets the law

How Australia’s treaty obligations can change Australian law.