The Dead Roo

Yesterday John Howard announced that he will, if re-elected, hold a referendum to amend the preamble of the Australian constitution to include a “statement of reconciliation” and to “recognise indigenous Australians”
The first thing to note about the proposed change to the constitution is that it is legally meaningless. The preamble of the constitution contains no specifics […]

When Bruce Trevorrow won his landmark case against the state of South Australia, scumbag Andrew Bolt argued that the success of his case actually proved there was no stolen generation. Bolt thus argued that this case would have no wider impact on the issue of the stolen generations.
Trevorrow’s lawyer, Julian Burnside, has published a damning […]

 Whoops! - the picket was previously advertised as “next Wednesday” which is incorrect.  The date 29/8 is correct. - sorry.
 Please pass this link to friends and networks in Brisbane.
There will be a picket on Wednesday, the 29 August 2007 at 9.00 am. outside the Brisbane Magistrate’s Court, 240 Roma St. Brisbane to demand reform of […]

Seven people in a room and you’re the only one jumping up and down at the injustice of it all. That’s a Justice Kirby moment!
The high court has ruled that the control order imposed on Jack Thomas is indeed constitutional. But:
in a dissenting judgement, Justice Kirby said the counter-terrorism laws applied to the case were […]

A South Australian court has awarded damages to Bruce Trevorrow, an individual forcibly removed from his aboriginal parents during the ’50s. The National Indigenous Times has the story here and here.
This is a great day for Australia and an excellent decision. It will no doubt result in a large number of similiar court actions from […]

The various states have been in the awkward position of having essentially-legal, but technically illegal, abortion for decades now, courtesy of the awkward compromise achieved in the 1969 Menhennitt ruling, principles subsequently adopted by courts in most other states. A couple of jurisdictions have taken steps towards removing the anachronism - the ACT abolished abortion-related […]

Josh Wolf, blogger and former political prisoner, has announced the launch of “Prison Blogs”.
Generally speaking, prisoner’s can’t blog. But they can write letters. Wolf’s idea is to have prisoners write to a sponsor who then manages a blog for the prisoner, posting their letters.
His new website, prisonblogs.net aims to be a place to link up […]

The following is from a blogspot account entitled “Free Dr Haneef“:
Please take 2 minutes to send a “sorry” or “I’m thinking of you” email to freedrhaneef@yahoo.com.au
Keep them short and heartfelt. No long rants about the government thanks. I think Mohamed may already know what many people think on that matter.
I will collect them and try […]

There can be no acceptable defense for deploying weapons that indiscriminately kill civilians.
Military necessity? Rubbish. One hardly needs to gas an entire population to crush an insurgency (despite what the yanks might be feeling right now). People you’re gassing aren’t loyal? No excuse. Following orders? hah.
Although on principle I deplore any death sentence, the likes […]

I wasn’t even aware that this was an offense:
An artist from Bega in New South Wales has been found to be in contempt of federal Parliament.
The Privileges Committee found that Harriet Swift deliberately misrepresented the federal Member for Eden-Monaro Gary Nairn five times, by forging Mr Nairn’s signature and distributing false documents in his name
Ok, […]

The Brisbane District Court has suppressed the nature of blackmail threats that former Queensland tourism minister Merri Rose made to Premier Peter Beattie. And rightly so. But the question remains, what was so damaging to Beattie, Beatties government or party, that made Merri Rose believe it would secure her a cushy job in the public […]

This new bill, proposed by federal Attorney General Phillip Ruddock, offers journalists a limited right to protect their sources in the face of police investigation. Except in the case of matters dealing with James Hardie.
A copy of Ruddocks bill can be found here.
I’ve highlighted the bit that appears to be the crux of the bill […]

What is it about male judges making disgusting rulings in rape cases today? I’ve just read of two appalling rulings handed down in the United States. Alas, it doesn’t end there. Courtesy of this morning’s Canberra Times, I bring to you this comment from Justice Terry Connolly of the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday, in […]

The federal government has renewed funding for a booklet that, among other things, warns of the emotional damage done to children by “smacking”.
Mums told don’t smack
The government is funding a campaign, telling mums and dads not to smack their children.
Through a website, parents are being told physical punishment teaches children that violence is a way […]

“However the minute Hicks arrives in Australia, our legitimate justice system kicks into action. It may hold some nasty shocks for the Howard government which has endorsed this illegal process at Guantanamo Bay.” - Bob Brown quoted in SMH
Off the top of my head, here are a few legal issues that could arise out of […]