Law Report

Latest Episodes:

Government releases legal advice on Morrison's secret ministerial appointments Aug 23, 2022

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The Federal Government has released legal advice from the Solicitor General regarding the former prime minister Scott Morrison's move to secretly appoint himself to multiple ministries. And the High Court has ruled in favour of internet giant Google in a defamation case involving a Melbourne lawyer.

High Court rejects activists' challenge to NSW surveillance laws, and women bring prison stories to the stage Aug 16, 2022

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Should activist groups be allowed to use secretly filmed footage to expose the treatment of animals at farms and abattoirs? And Somebody's Daughter theatre company returns to the stage with stories of women's lives in prison, co-written and performed by former inmates.

Life, death and the law Aug 09, 2022

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When parents and doctors disagree, how do courts decide whether to withdraw life support from a hospitalised child? The creation of a federal judicial commission is among the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission's report on judicial impartiality. The high-profile defamation litigation between billionaire politician Clive Palmer and WA premier Mark McGowan has ended in a draw.

Legal decisions and analytics Aug 02, 2022

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Should researchers collect and publish statistics which reveal how judges and tribunal members decide refugee cases? Is this a way of understanding legal decision making or does it risk undermining confidence in the justice system?

Who should be held legally liable for accidents involving e-scooters? Jul 26, 2022

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Electric scooters are becoming an increasingly popular form of transport, but there is a confusing mosaic of laws that regulate their use across Australia. So, when accidents happen – who should be held legally liable?

Queensland bans 'claim farming'; should media coverage affect sentencing decisions? Jul 19, 2022

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Queensland has introduced laws to crack down on 'claim farming', a practice where members of the public are contacted and encouraged to make compensation claims. And a new study has found 'inconsistencies' in the way courts consider the possible impact of media coverage on sentencing decisions.

Vanuatu's push for international court action on climate change Jul 12, 2022

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The small Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is behind a campaign to raise the issue of climate change before the International Court of Justice. And how should culturally sensitive historical photographs be handled? A leading US university is sued for allegedly causing emotional distress.

Victoria's Nazi swastika law prompts call for national ban Jul 05, 2022

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An in-depth look at Victoria's law to ban the public display of the Nazi swastika amid calls for the Federal Government to legislate a national ban on the symbol. And the case of a West Australian man who spent more than a decade in prison for a crime he didn't commit has led to new legal avenues for appeal for others who may have been wrongfully convicted.

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus speaks to the Law Report Jun 28, 2022

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Reforming the Public Interest Disclosure Act "is a significant matter because it is linked to the national anti-corruption commission that we hope to legislate this year," the federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus has told the Law Report. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Dreyfus outlines his legislative priorities, including reforming the Privacy Act, media freedoms, and a review of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Can machines invent, and animals create? Jun 21, 2022

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Should we grant patents to Artificial Intelligence algorithms? Should machines have copyright over the art works they generate? What about animals?