There’s a Resounding Silence Over the Paradise Papers Revelations
The largest leak of financial information in history was made globally last week and the reaction has been lacklustre. The 13.4 million files that make up the Paradise Papers uncover the financial dealings of the ultra-rich and major corporations in...
French Court Finds that Sex with Child Wasn’t Rape
In NSW, it is a crime for a person to have sexual intercourse with another who is under the age of 16-years, or 18 if there is a relationship of ‘special care’. Similar ‘age of consent’ laws apply in countries...
Time to Support West Papua: An Interview with Independence Leader Benny Wenda
On September 26, West Papuan leader Benny Wenda presented a petition to the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C24) calling for an internationally supervised vote on West Papuan self-determination. The petition was signed by 1.8 million West Papuan people, which...
Moving Away from the War on Drugs: An Interview with Dr Alex Wodak
The war on drugs in not over yet. But there seems to be some glimmering light at the end of the tunnel, with the major drug law reforms that have been taking place globally over recent years. The US once...
The Threat of Nuclear War Looms
As US president Donald Trump landed in Japan last Saturday to begin his tour of five Asian nations, North Korea’s nuclear weapons program was a primary focus. In September, Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test, which led Trump to...
The Need for a Bill of Rights: An Interview with UNSW Professor George Williams
First published 4 November 2017 On October 17, Australia won a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council: the international body responsible for the protection of human rights around the globe. It’s hoped the nation’s new position might improve rights issues...
Are Your Household Appliances Spying on You?
Baby monitors, your fridge, TV and sport shoes could soon be the focus of new laws amid growing concerns of hacking which can lead to the unauthorised use of images, stalking and fraud offences. The federal government is considering legislation...
Weinstein Sacked Before Any Charges Are Laid
As the Harvey Weinstein saga continues to dominate global headlines, more Hollywood actors - both famous and not so famous - continue to come forward claiming they ‘knew’ of the movie mogul’s reputation for sexual misconduct, even if they had...
The US Warns It Will Once Again “Totally Destroy” North Korea
Tensions continue to mount on the North Korean peninsula, as the Trump administration and the regime of Kim Jong-un continue threats to carry out pre-emptive military strikes against each other. On September 25, North Korean foreign minister Ri Yong-ho warned...
Defending the Nauru 19: An Interview with Sydney Lawyer Christian Hearn
Nineteen people from the island of Nauru are facing trial accused of public order offences following a protest against the Nauruan government on June 16 2015. Now known as the Nauru 19, the group were part of hundreds of locals who’d gathered...