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...
by Chris Merritt | Oct 24, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue, The Voice: Uluru Statement
The real problem with Lidia Thorpe is not her manners. It’s her ignorance, closely followed by her duplicity.How could a member of the senate be so confused about basic elements of this country’s system of government?And how could any elected official boast about what...
by Chris Merritt | Oct 4, 2024 | 18C, Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Media Article
Late last year it should have been apparent to federal parliament that law alone might not be enough to prevent terrorist sympathisers displaying public support for banned organisations. Yet here we are, days away from what could be damaging displays of public support...
by Chris Merritt | Oct 3, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
Those who failed to enforce the law against terrorist sympathisers in Sydney and Melbourne over the weekend have some explaining to do. Why did they permit supporters of Hezbollah in Sydney and Melbourne to defy federal law with impunity? Was it simple ignorance about...
by Chris Merritt | Sep 27, 2024 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Media Article
Fifteen years ago, American lawyer Ilya Shapiro wrote a concise and devastating critique of vague statutes. It must have been missed by those who drafted the latest version of the federal government’s plan to outlaw the online dissemination of misinformation and...
by Chris Merritt | Sep 13, 2024 | 18C, Attorney General, Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Media Article
Mark Dreyfus has taken a big step in the right direction with federal hate-speech laws that target the most serious threat confronting the Jewish community. And he has done so while avoiding over-reach and eliminating a get-out-of-jail card for hate preachers that...
