Cheryl Saunders

After a lifetime dedicated to the health and success of her people Pat Turner is retiring She led the nation's peak Indigenous health body through one of the most catastrophic pandemics in history. But, the Arrernte and Gurandji woman said serving her people was the 'privilege of her life'...

Shout out to the wonderful Pat Turner, whose retirement has just been announced, after decades of distinguished service, to the great benefit of First Nations peoples. I am privileged to have been able to work with her from time to time as a colleague and friend. www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article...

These are excellent proposals, which would be extremely useful in Australia also, given the state and extent of public procurement practices. They deserve to be widely disseminated.

AEC disclosures show more than $138 million in political funding in 2024–25 had no declared source under the current rules.

When dark money & big donors shape our politics, public trust suffers. Australians deserve govts that are not fundraising from industries that profit when policy is weakened.

Kudos to Margaret Sheil for offering Meanjin such an appropriate home.

"The evolution of the White House into a palace, and of court politics at the heart of a modern mass-media democracy, is of enormous interest to the historian, not least because it illustrates the only facet of early-modern politics not understood by the Founding Fathers."- forthcoming J.G.A. Pocock

It’s a little bit late in the day, but today of all days, you might want to read Truth Be Told. Yoorrook Justice Commission’s report, which includes the history of colonial Victoria from a First Nations perspective for the very first time. www.yoorrook.org.au/reports-and-...

Importantly, also, it is not constituted, empowered or conceived to deliver peace in Gaza and the West Bank, or anywhere else. Performative and self-indulgent.

This is a very important thread. The whole "it's a new UN" narrative is profoundly flawed. The Board of Peace has no actual power beyond the power of its individual members. So at most it is a new type of alliance between some of the worst human beings on earth -- deeply problematic but nothing new.

Checks and balances of some kind are common, whether so described or not. The claims for ‘exceptionalism’ may be an even more productive subject of historical inquiry.

Well done to @amyremeikis.bsky.social being the only live blog still going when the laws were passed.

It is worth a read for those wondering what happened in the Senate last night

live.thepoint.com.au#b1d36e9e3b

A new(?) type of threat to judicial independence, becoming increasingly common and blatant.

The Carney doctrine Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech

Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.

Looks like a worthy tribute! Is there a list of authors?

Call for Abstracts - WCCL 2026 World Congress of Constitutional Law. 2026. Colombia.

I’m co-organising Workshop #63, Constructing and Reimagining Constitutional Narratives through Pop Culture, at the iacl World Congress 2026 (Bogotá), with Jonathan Hafetz and Mara Malagodi. CFP deadline: 23 Jan @cccwarwick.bsky.social @maramalagodi.bsky.social wccl2026.com/en/call-for-...

Yes. Although what was the US impact in/on the Venice Commission in any event?

Brown v Tasmania is a decision about protest in the context of the environment. If she joined with Justices Kiefel and Keane in her reasons, they would have been very much mainstream.

Breaking: Former High Court justice to lead Bondi royal commission A national royal commission into the Bondi terror attack is expected to be called by Anthony Albanese after weeks of pressure to establish the inquiry.

If you're going to do it, this is a good appointment
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...

Also with experience conducting challenging and sensitive inquiries. Her inquiry into the Morrison Multiple Ministries affair was impressively impartial, temperate, and useful.

Included on this long list- International IDEA and the Venice Commission. US only a bit player in both, at best, but indicative of one aspect of the mindset.

There are a lot of people who don’t think a Royal Commission is a good idea, btw. They are just not writing (or signing!) letters about it.

A very thought- provoking book. Highly recommended for those interested in the practical and doctrinal ambiguities associated with acquisition of statehood.

Secretary- General of the United Nations!

Emma Johnston was a visionary scientist, environmentalist and leader, with an abiding hope for humanity The University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, who has died aged 52, was driven by a deep love of science and a desire to safeguard the planet’s future.

Emma Johnston was a visionary scientist, environmentalist and leader, with an abiding hope for humanity
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...

Shocking. And what courage she must have had to have, over so much of this year.

Minns government ‘actively’ considering if Jewish security group should be armed after Bondi attack NSW premier also announces police will carry long-arm rifles at major New Year’s Eve event in Sydney

How bad an idea this is cannot be overstated

Many thanks to Vöelkerrechtsblog for sharing our ✍️call for papers✍️ on the legacy of William Twining!

voelkerrechtsblog.org/calls-for-pa...

It is almost impossible to understand how an Opposition could bring themselves to do this. Short term grandstanding harming the longer term public interest.

Professor Colm Ó Cinnéide to deliver annual FLAC lecture Renowned human rights lawyer and academic Professor Colm Ó Cinnéide will deliver FLAC's annual justice lecture next week. This year's event celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth ...

On Monday.

www.irishlegal.com/articles/pro...

Disasters like the BoM website update exemplify exactly why we need to build capacity in the public service and reduce our over reliance on consultants. A robust public service will always provide better value for money and better quality for the taxpayer dollar.

I am half-way through it and enjoying it enormously. What a man, and what a time. Much to be learnt from this book for the present.