When academics venture into the media to inform the public about their discipline, they have a basic obligation to be accurate in what they say. I'm afraid that Prof. Chris Gallavin has fallen short of this standard.
Read MoreAttorney General
My colors, my honor; my colors, my all
Did you know MPs are considering making it an offence, punishable by a fine of up to $20,000, to wear a green ribbon in your hair on election day? If you think this is silly, you'd better tell them so ... soon.
Read MoreSilence of the lambs: freedom of speech in New Zealand
A steady erosion of human rights in New Zealand through legislation is being accompanied by Ministerial attempts to avoid searching scrutiny of these measures, and to silence dissenting voices.
Read MoreI think National just broke our constitution
Our constitutional arrangements work on an implicit bargain - the principle of comity - that the Courts and Parliament don't mess with each other's turf. I think that bargain just got broken.
Read MoreOn privilege, absolute or qualified
The House of Representatives' Privileges Committee is considering whether or not public servants should be given free reign to defame completely innocent individuals to their Ministers. Well, that's an exaggeration ... but read on anyway.
Read MoreInvictus
Has the Attorney General (gasp!) made up his own mind about what the NZBORA means?
Read MoreCERRA vs. NZBORA - or, when acronyms attack ...
Apparently the Canterbury earthquake emergency legislation is completely consistent with our fundamental rights and freedoms. Or ... is it?
Read MoreGay adoption: redux
The High Court has just said that straight de facto couples jointly can adopt a child. Great - now what about the rest of the community?
Read MoreJust how do you judge a trial by media?
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner is still conducting a preliminary inquiry into Justice Bill Wilson. The important judgment may get delivered in the court of public opinion
Read MoreHelping the Attorney-General out of a jam
Attorney-General Chris Finlayson has told Parliament that disenfranchising all prisoners cannot be justified in a free and democratic society. So why does it look like he's going to vote for this to become our law?
Read MoreQuis custodiet ipsos custodes?
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner's preliminary inquiry into Justice Bill Wilson's conduct has begun. Did you notice how much our constitution has changed?
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