constitution

Thursday, October 01

Federalism, state rights and the law

The pandemic has reopened debate on the role of the Commonwealth and the right of states to go their own way in tackling the crisis. Victoria’s response is a warning on ceding power to executive government, argues Morry Bailes.

Indigenous immigration detention up in air after court ruling

Home Affairs officials are examining claims 23 immigration detainees should be released because they are indigenous.

Photo: AAP/Mick Tsikas

Constitutional breach question over sports grants scandal

An eminent legal expert has suggested the Morrison government’s controversial sports grants program may be unconstitutional.

Conservative MPs baulk at Indigenous voice

Conservative MPs are resisting the creation of an Indigenous voice to federal parliament, with a new pledge on constitutional change sparking fresh divisions within the Coalition government.

NO FAIR: Push to scrap contentious constitutional clause

The Weatherill Government’s bid for a referendum on how electoral boundaries are determined may be doomed to fail, but a separate push to abolish the constitution’s contentious “fairness clause” – and two-party bias – could yet find broader support.

It's time to fix our sputtering constitutional mechanics

The citizenship fiasco shows it is time for the Parliament to get serious about constitutional change, writes Mark Brindal.

Hinch says he's in the clear over US links

Crossbencher Derryn Hinch believes he won’t be booted from the Senate over his US social security number, but he is prepared to face the High Court.