by Chris Merritt | Jun 20, 2025 | Attorney General, Chris Merritt, Commentary, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
It’s early days in Michelle Rowland’s tenure as Attorney-General and much depends on what she eventually does, not what she says. But if she delivers on her rhetoric, the first law officer looks set to secure her place as a reformer by embarking on a long-overdue...
by Chris Merritt | Jun 13, 2025 | All Posts, Chris Merritt, Commentary, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
There was once a time when Australians were entirely justified in viewing this country’s legal system as morally superior. But the basis for that confidence is slipping away. Above all, the moral foundation of our legal system is – or was – the doctrine of...
by Chris Merritt | Jun 6, 2025 | 18C, Anti-Semitism, Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Media Article
Next week, when Islamic cleric Wissam Haddad appears in court to defend his remarks about Jews, his arguments should cause a moment of reflection – and embarrassment – on both sides of politics. There is every chance this case will expose weaknesses and...
by Chris Merritt | May 30, 2025 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, ICAC, Media Article
The legal tactics being used against Walter Sofronoff by the ACT government should concern everyone who values the role of the judiciary as a check on the exercise of power. What we are witnessing is of almost constitutional significance – and not in a good way....
by Chris Merritt | May 23, 2025 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, ICAC, Media Article
It could just be a few weeks before Anthony Albanese flies to Washington for long-delayed talks with Donald Trump. It would therefore be wise to remove an obvious impediment to the success of those discussions. That means taking seriously diplomatic overtures from the...
by Chris Merritt | May 16, 2025 | All Posts, Attorney General, Chris Merritt, Commentary, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
After her appointment this week as Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland made a brilliant move: she undertook to uphold the rule of law. That means she has set herself key performance indicators that go beyond the criteria for success that applied to her previous role as...
