by Chris Merritt | Nov 21, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
Support might be waning for the latest version of Michelle Rowland’s plan to censor social media. But it seems the communications minister is not for turning. If the latest version of her Misinformation and Disinformation Bill dies in the senate, the communications...
by Chris Merritt | Nov 14, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, ICAC, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
What’s wrong with this picture? Beau Lamarre-Condon is a former NSW policeman facing two charges of domestic violence murder which are alleged to have taken place in February. During the week a Sydney magistrate was told that most of the prosecution’s brief of...
by Chris Merritt | Nov 14, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, ICAC, Media Article
On Monday, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal handed down a clear and unanimous decision that contains two messages. The first is that Ian Macdonald, a former state minister for mineral resources, has lost his appeal and is back in prison serving the rest of his...
by Chris Merritt | Nov 7, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
When law students are asked to cite examples of legislative ineptitude, they now have two perfect case studies. After last year’s High Court ruling in the case known as NZYQ, the government was caught flat footed and released people from immigration detention...
by Chris Merritt | Nov 1, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, ICAC, Media Article
At last, I have a reason to say something nice about ICAC: its latest annual report shows a remarkable improvement in internal efficiency. Under the leadership of Chief Commissioner John Hatzistergos the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption completed 91 per...
by Chris Merritt | Oct 31, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, ICAC, Media Article
When Anthony Albanese’s government established the National Anti-Corruption Commission it copied some but not all aspects of ICAC in NSW. For the rest of his life, the prime minister should give thanks every day for one of those omissions. Ultimately it might not save...
