by Chris Merritt | May 16, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, ICAC, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
The decision to subject Walter Sofronoff, KC, to a corruption inquiry raises issues of principle that do not reflect favourably on the government of the ACT. The core of the problem relates to the erosion of one of the great principles of the rule of law – equal...
by Chris Merritt | May 10, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Freedom of Speech, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
Nine years ago, Colin Rubenstein identified weaknesses in the federal laws against inciting violence based on racial and religious hatred. Had his warning been heeded, it might have equipped federal authorities with some of what they need to crack down on the worst...
by Chris Merritt | May 2, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Media Article
The legend of King Canute has a lesson for lawmakers that must have escaped the attention of the geniuses who insisted on giving global reach to the Online Safety Act. Canute knew it was ludicrous to command the tides but he dragged his throne down to the beach and...
by Chris Merritt | Apr 25, 2024 | 18C, Chris Merritt, Freedom of Speech, Media Article
The fight between Anthony Albanese and Elon Musk is not merely about whether Australians should be permitted to see a shocking video of a bishop being stabbed. The outcome of this dispute will help determine a much bigger issue: do we want the federal government to be...
by Chris Merritt | Apr 19, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, ICAC, Media Article, Model Litigant
In November last year, Paul Brereton explained how his National Anti-Corruption Commission decides which matters to pursue. Given what has come to light about the Albanese government’s $2.4m settlement with Brittany Higgins, those remarks by the NACC commissioner...
by Chris Merritt | Apr 15, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Defamation, Media Article
There is now a real danger society will learn the wrong lessons from Network Ten’s resounding defamation win against Bruce Lehrmann – a man who stands condemned as a rapist.Mr Lehrmann is the author of his own ruin.He launched this civil case knowing there was a risk...
