by Chris Merritt | Sep 11, 2026 | Anti-Semitism, Chris Merritt, Commentary, Human Rights, Media Article
When the High Court takes a step in the wrong direction, the full impact might not be immediately apparent. But consequences eventually pile up until reform becomes inevitable. That day has finally arrived for one of the court’s worst ideas: 1992’s implied...
by Chris Merritt | Sep 4, 2026 | Anti-Semitism, Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Human Rights, Media Article
In a perfect world, Virginia Bell’s royal commission into anti-semitism and social cohesion would be assessed on its findings and recommendations. But that will not be possible unless the commission abandons its over-use of secrecy and reveals a suppressed section of...
by Chris Merritt | Aug 28, 2026 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Human Rights, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
Renewed moves are under way federally and in NSW to create statutory charters of rights. With luck, both schemes are destined for oblivion. They are, however, still worth examining – if only to expose their loopiness. The NSW Human Rights Bill, introduced last...
by Chris Merritt | Aug 27, 2026 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Human Rights, Media Article
Paper given at the 2026 Samuel Griffiths Conference, Sydney, Australia. Renewed moves are under way federally and in NSW to create statutory charters of rights. Both initiatives are the result of private members’ bills. Neither is backed by the respective governments...
by Chris Merritt | Aug 14, 2026 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Human Rights, Media Article
One of the curious aspects of the debate about charters of rights is how the proponents of these documents skate over the fact they make almost no difference. They create work for lawyers but they are a failure when judged by the one criterion that matters: do they...
by Chris Merritt | Jul 24, 2026 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Freedom of Speech, Human Rights, Media Article
Thanks to Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the US Supreme Court there can no longer be any doubt that Australian law is an outlier on one of the most contentious issues of our times. The highest courts in the United States and Britain have both ruled that the gender...
