By requiring that a person acting in self-defence must act genuinely and reasonably, Australian states and territories appropriately balance self-defence against vigilantism.
Malcolm Turnbull has taken a series of steps to clear the path to a double-dissolution election.
AAP/Lukas Coch
After many weeks of speculation, the government has laid down the challenge for the Senate and smoothed the path for a double-dissolution election.
The Birmingham Six, from left, top; Patrick Hill, Hugh Callaghan and John Walker. Bottom; Richard McIlkenny, Gerard Hunter and William Power.
PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
The Birmingham Six were released after spending 17 years in prison for crimes they did not commit – there’s still work to do to stop it happening again.
Euthanasia proponents often express incredulity that in a supposedly humane society, the ‘right to die with dignity’ remains unsupported by law.
TRACEY NEARMY/AAP Image
Proponents of legalising euthanasia claim it’s needed to ensure dying patients don’t experience unbearable suffering. But in fact, this is the one setting in which law change isn’t needed.
Motorists in New South Wales must now keep a minimum distance of one metre when passing cyclists.
AAP/Richard Milnes
As a country that claims to uphold the human rights of all – including those before the law – Australia should take notice of international practice when it comes to life imprisonment.
Sacked from your job and never told why. Is this the new normal for some workers in Britain?
The Law Council of Australia has called for the end of mandatory sentencing, so is it time to put a stop to this ineffective and disproportionate system?
Dean Lewis/AAP
As the Law Council of Australia calls for the end of mandatory sentencing, it might be time for the Australian government to evaluate and resolve the troubles of this problematic system.
Gerard Baden-Clay’s successful appeal against a conviction for the murder of his wife should not be misread as a sign of judicial tolerance of domestic violence.
The government’s citizenship-stripping bill passed on the final parliamentary sitting day of 2015.
AAP/Dan Peled
If we are content to sanction, disapprove and respond to sole nationals committing terror-related offences without revoking their citizenship, why is revocation necessary for dual nationals?
Gerard Baden-Clay’s murder conviction for the death of his wife Allison has been set aside on appeal.
AAP/Dan Peled
At a time when Australia is discussing the adequacy of legal responses to domestic violence, decisions that serve to lessen the culpability of men’s violence against women are undoubtedly concerning.
Is he really guilty if he had a genetic predisposition towards impulsive behaviour?
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There is fresh political impetus behind a constitutional device to allow Britain to veto EU laws, but the enthusiasm ignores the powers that already exist and the dangers of legislation on the hoof.
Keeping government to account.
Judge via Andrey_Popov/www.shutterstock.com
Probably not, but that might be for the best if it encourages countries to be more ambitious in their commitments, rather than playing it safe to avoid falling foul of legal obligations.
Family Court clients often have specific needs and vulnerabilities.
AAP/Alan Porritt
Merging the back-end operations of Australia’s federal courts could have significant implications for the way in which resources are allocated to meet the needs of family courts and their clients.