Cheryl Saunders
@cherylas1.bsky.social
Australian and comparative public law in form, theory and practice
Have just finished Shifting Sands by Judith Scheele - a fascinating account of the Sahara and its peoples over time, using a most effective thematic organisational structure. Highly recommended, not only for its insights into a little understood region but for reflections on the state of the world.
New from the Journal of the British Academy: @cherylas1.bsky.social argues that the idea of an imaginary may have explanatory power in a range of significant constitutional contexts in the current age of globalisation. Read for free online: doi.org/10.5871/jba/...
Scepticism justified. Getting to a codified Constitution in the first place, on the other hand, could be a big ask.
Paolo Sandro@paolosandro.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe second point is just to say: maybe, just maybe, we should be sceptical of the idea that a codified constitution would necessarily make government more inefficient?
It is not a Voice to Parliament - the conception is quite different and it is lazy to characterise it in this way.
Guardian Australia@australia.theguardian.com · 2mo agoVictoria’s voice to parliament asks government to axe bill that will scrap prisoners’ ‘open air’ rights
Full Professorship for Public Law and the Law of the United Kingdom and States of the Commonwealth of Nations Law, Humboldt University www.hu-berlin.de/en/universit...
Making sure you're not a bot!
hu-berlin.de
Heads up everyone! Sky News has rebranded to “News 24” & has started following people on BlueSky, to get more people to follow them, unaware it’s Sky. You know what to do folks! #auspol
I'm not sure who said it but I remember another old quote. Something like "but what if it turns out global warming is all a sham and we improve our health, economy and air quality for nothing. What then?!"
I’m not his biggest fan but Heseltine said roughly this about 30 years ago. Words to the effect of ‘even if there is no climate change what is there not to like about reducing dependency on expensive fossil fuels and getting energy independence? Why would anyone sensibly oppose that?’
Meg Russell has written a chapter on the debate in parliament between 2016 and 2019 in Anthony Seldon's latest book, The Brexit Effect, 2016–2026. Drawing on her 2023 book, she says that parliament 'emerged battered and bruised from the process'. Find out more 👇️
Meg Russell contributes to popular new book on the Brexit Effect
Meg Russell has written a chapter on 'The Debate in Parliament, 2016–19' in Anthony Seldon’s new book The Brexit Effect, 2016–2026.
ucl.ac.uk
Looking forward to speaking on this Bell Shakespeare 'Ambition and the Aftermath' panel on July 2, with Jo Erskine, Glyn Davis, and Marieke hardy! www.bellshakespeare.com.au/panel-series... #Shakespeare
One lesson from all of this is that critical decisions in the exercise of Australia’s external sovereignty requires an appropriate process involving greater transparency and accountability, with assurance of proper deliberation.
Sharty Mcscrote (Sandy D AU) 🍉🍉@shartymcscrote.bsky.social · 4mo agoAs a political community, we need to think much more carefully about what can be done by the executive alone and what requires parliamentary agreement, which in turn provides some transparency and some opportunity for public engagement.
The Australia Institute@australiainstitute.org.au · 4mo agoThe bill for the massive cuts to the NDIS show a future Health Minister could essentially kill the NDIS without even having to legislate it. Chief Economist Greg Jericho unpacks the bill on the latest episode of Dollars & Sense. @grogsgamut.bsky.social #auspol @elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social
Compelling.
Peter Murphy@peterwmurphy1.bsky.social · 4mo agoOutstanding commentary and analysis by Middle East Eye's Soumaya Ghannoushi re Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump's plan to acquire the Albanian island of Sazan. Quality journalism. #USPolitics #Palestine #Albania #JaredKushner #IvankaTrump youtube.com/shorts/O2NfD...
The Australian National Audit Office has released its report on the handling of FOI requests by several Departments, including Prime Minister and Cabinet. It's found two-in-three decisions were set aside by the Information Commissioner on appeal. Nearly six in ten applications returned nothing.
anao.gov.au
I share the doubts expressed in all the other comments. More transparency and accountability needed for vetoing grants that have already been through such a laborious process, on such vague grounds.
ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · 5mo agoMinister @jasonclaremp.bsky.social has vetoed funding for 13 ARC grants based on security grounds. “Security” is the only way they can veto individual grants anymore* (not just a whim like under the previous legislation). From ARC's “Update on Research Security” 👇 www.arc.gov.au/news-and-pub...
Meg has done a fantastic job and her influence will be felt for a long time to come. Congratulations and best wishes to @alanrenwick.bsky.social and Tom Fleming.
UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 5mo agoToday is a big day at the Constitution Unit as @alanrenwick.bsky.social takes over as Director and Tom Fleming becomes Deputy Director. Congratulations and good luck! Read our announcement from last month 👇
A very old and dear friend. So sorry to hear this news.
Ben Yong@bymyong.bsky.social · 5mo agoA lovely man. A judge, bureaucrat (in the best sense), and teacher. Amongst many other matters, Sir Ken wrote the brilliant introduction to the NZ Cabinet Manual, a perfect explanation of the NZ constitution. RIP
“The High Court’s decision gives the Victorian Parliament a chance to go back to the drawing board, consult with voters and design a fair political finance system,” said Bill Browne, Director of The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program. Read more ⬇️ https://theaus.in/4wnvUK7
And so… Trump’s new basis for his tariffs, sec. 122, is also gone if this is confirmed on appeal. /1
Simon Lester@simonlester.com · 5mo agoAnd here it is on the CIT website: www.cit.uscourts.gov/sites/cit/fi...
An excellent explanation.
Pearls and Irritations@johnmenadue.com · 5mo agoAbdul Rizvi explains the very particular circumstances in which Australian citizens might be refused entry back into Australia: when citizenship is able to be cancelled, a passport can be denied or a temporary exclusion order issued. #auspol #Australiancitizens
Hi Bluesky Would someone let my X followers know that I have been suspended by twitter.I will be more active on this site. I will explain the suspension at a later date as it is an intriguing story that’s not devoid of politics. Many thanks.
Time to start getting on the front foot about Acknowledgment of Country. I anticipate it and positively enjoy it. I miss it when I expect it and it doesn’t happen. It gives me a sense of solidarity and place. I don’t know who the naysayers think they’re naysaying, but there may be a lot of us.
🗳️ Can South Sudan’s next elections bring stability, or deepen the crisis? Our new brief examines how targeted constitutional and governance reforms could help address persistent instability and support a more sustainable political transition in the country: buff.ly/k8Ga3mT
Huge -- the High Court has struck down a big loophole for the major parties in Victoria's donation laws. The "nominated entities" loophole let the major parties receive uncapped donations from their fundraising vehicles, while everyone else was strictly limited.
What are the accountability arrangements for the secretary general, within NATO? To whom is he answerable; and when does his term expire?
Markus W. Gehring@mwgehring.bsky.social · 6mo agoMr Rutte’s apparent failure to identify an illegal war and his sycophantic fawning for the main perpetrator disqualifies him entirely as NATO Secretary General. He should resign.