Robert Mcclelland

New charges made against AWU

21 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | New charges over AWU

Former 2UE radio announcer Michael Smith on Sunday made further allegations about corruption at the Australian Workers Union between 1992 and 1996.

Dumping claim aired

15 May 2012 | Hannah Low

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Dumping claim aired

Chinese Aluminium manufacturer PanAsia Aluminium has accused the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service of confusing government influence with a lack of competition.

Demographics point to Labor bloodbath

10 April 2012 | John Black

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 53 | Demographics point to Labor bloodbath

If the result of the Queensland state election is any guide, the first week or so after the next federal election should provide some interesting lessons in life for Labor’s caucus members.

Carbon tax adds risk to investment

05 April 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 74 | Carbon tax adds risk to investment

Editorial | The carbon tax has done untold damage already to Julia Gillard and her minority government, but it is looming as an even bigger political and economic risk in coming months as the tax package takes effect on July 1.

Howes denies he’ll take run at Barton

04 April 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | Howes denies he’ll take run at Barton

AWU secretary Paul Howes has accused a rival in the Labor Left of spreading rumours that he is looking to move to the Sydney electorate of Robert McClelland to mount a pre-selection challenge.

Hands off tax breaks, resources chief warns Swan

04 April 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | Hands off tax breaks, oil industry warns

Billions of dollars in investment in oil and gas development would be put at risk if the government changed the tax rules in the May budget, the resources industry warned.

Carbon fears fuel Labor unrest

02 April 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | Carbon fears fuel Labor unrest

Updated | PM Julia Gillard has rejected criticism by disgruntled supporters of Kevin Rudd who questioned her mandate for a carbon tax and use of spin, even as her backers admitted Labor faced electoral defeat.

Huawei: we’re no security risk

27 March 2012 | John McDuling

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Huawei: we’re no risk

Huawei’s local chairman John Lord has emphatically denied the Chinese telecommunications equipment maker is a security risk to Australia as a fresh political storm concerning the company erupts in Canberra.

Roxon embarks on maiden High Court hunt

23 March 2012 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | Roxon broadens High Court hunt

The Gillard government will consider candidates outside the traditional pool of senior judges and barristers for the next two High Court appointments and is open to appointing an academic or solicitor.

Roxon to unravel contract law

22 March 2012 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 15 | Roxon to unravel contract law

Companies could find it easier to do business across state and national borders under a federal government plan to simplify contract law as part of a campaign to reduce red tape.

McClelland demotion a waste

09 March 2012 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 09 March 2012 | PAGE 43 | McClelland demotion a waste

Robert McClelland has gone from a high-ranking member of Cabinet to the backbench in just three short months.

Time to shoot, or shelter, the messenger

03 March 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 62 | It’s time to shoot, or shelter, the messenger

Labor and the Coalition have no interest in elevating the Assange matter, but things are coming to a head.

Labor makes a poor show of parading its unity

03 March 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 47 | Labor makes poor show of parading its unity

The appointment of Bob Carr as Foreign Minister was another messy and unconvincing performance from the government.

McClelland considers future after demotion

02 March 2012 |

Federal Labor MP Robert McClelland, who has been demoted to the back bench, says he was advised of his fate on Friday morning.

Crossing the PM comes at great cost

02 March 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 02 March 2012 | PAGE 55 | Crossing the PM comes at great cost

Someone, or even several someones, will pay a high personal price today for this week’s ALP leadership ballot.

Bob Carr: what Labor leaders need

02 March 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 02 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Carr: what Labor leaders need

Former NSW premier Bob Carr has called for the Labor Party to embrace the bold economic reforms of the Hawke-Keating era so it can position itself as the party best at economics.

Gillard under attack over reshuffle

29 February 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 01 March 2012 | PAGE 5 | Gillard under attack over reshuffle

Prime Minister Julia Gillard was on Wednesday forced to defend her authority over the party amid messy manoeuvring around a cabinet reshuffle that might have involved former NSW premier Bob Carr.

Round one to reunited Labor

29 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 4 | Round one goes to reunited Labor

Without a clear focus, the opposition was unable to inflict any more damage on Labor in yesterday’s Question Time than the ALP had already done to itself

Beaten but mostly no hard feelings

28 February 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 9 | Beaten but mostly no hard feelings

After a week of open warfare, Kevin Rudd’s backers rushed to offer their support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard. But two Rudd supporters are already expected to not contest the next election.

Ruddites to be spared axe

28 February 2012 | John Kerin

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 9 | Ruddites to be spared axe

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has given her strongest hint yet she may spare some ministers who supported Kevin Rudd in the leadership ballot.

PM’s challenge to unite Labor

28 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | PM’s challenge to unite Labor

Prime Minister Julia Gillard was last night working on a ministerial reshuffle, trying to marry her pledge to bring a divided Labor Party together with the reality that five ministers voted against her in the leadership contest.

Obsessive, yes, but Rudd got things done

27 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 53 | Obsessive, yes, but Rudd was also able to get things done

A former staffer in the Rudd government and now Australian Financial Review journalist lifts the lid on what it was really like working for K.Rudd.

Gillard win but Labor bloodied

27 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Gillard win but Labor bloodied

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is expected to win today’s Labor leadership ballot, but be wounded by confirmation that around one-third of her caucus has abandoned her.

Roxon makes light of her load

24 February 2012 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 52 | Roxon makes light of her load

In what will hopefully become a theme, Nicola Roxon opened her first major speech as federal Attorney-General with a little comedy when she addressed an audience of barristers at a Victorian Bar conference last weekend.

LNP may reject national reforms

24 February 2012 | Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 50 | National reforms are not a given: LNP

Queensland would not “accept second-best” under attempts to nationalise laws governing the legal profession, the state shadow attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie said.

Staying on the sidelines no option

24 February 2012 | Fleur Anderson

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | Staying on the sidelines no option

Team Rudd will try to win over the Labor caucus by convincing them of their man’s popularity with the electorate, while Team Gillard is confident it will win Monday’s ballot on the basis of her popularity with her colleagues.

Gillard seeks to bury Rudd

24 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Gillard seeks to bury Rudd

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and outgoing foreign minister Kevin Rudd have deployed markedly different tactics as they barrel towards a leadership challenge on Monday that threatens to further shake business confidence and undermine Labor’s standing with voters.

Move will have domino effect on frontbench

23 February 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 3 | Move will have big effect on frontbench

There could be an avalanche of changes on Labor’s front bench after Kevin Rudd’s resignation, with clear winners and losers with or without a leadership challenge next week.

Trigger reached for taxpayers to pick up Qld floods bill

07 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 07 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | Trigger reached for taxpayer aid

Queensland’s recent spate of natural disasters will result in federal taxpayers picking up the bulk of the bill for the latest floods in the state’s west.

Brown tells Labor to fix leadership

06 February 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 06 February 2012 | PAGE 7 | Brown tells Labor to fix leadership

Updated | Greens leader and key government ally Bob Brown has demanded Labor resolve its leadership tensions, saying speculation about PM Julia Gillard is destabilising the government.

Raging floodwaters cut off thousands

04 February 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 04 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | Raging floodwaters cut off thousands

Thousands of residents of western Queensland and northern NSW have been cut off by floodwaters after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding. In Queensland, Premier Anna Bligh has declared a state of disaster.

What Kloppers knows

28 January 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 28 January 2012 | PAGE 49 | What Kloppers knows

Cyber attacks against businesses are becoming more prevalent and it is time CEOs and board members started taking more responsibility.

Aftershocks rattle public service

24 January 2012 | Verona Burgess

PRINT: 24 January 2012 | PAGE 45 | Aftershocks of reshuffle rattle public service

Federal departments are struggling to detail which staff, programs and other resources are being transferred or what the moves will cost.

McClelland call for lasting flood remedy

16 January 2012 | Geoff Winestock

PRINT: 16 January 2012 | PAGE 8 | McClelland call for lasting flood remedy

The federal government is pushing states to think harder about anti-flood strategies after it emerged that the bill for the Queensland floods includes $363 million for rebuilding roads that were washed out and rebuilt with federal funding only a few years ago.

In brief

14 January 2012 |

PRINT: 14 January 2012 | PAGE 10 |

The federal government has changed its mind on whether to accept as a formal application a letter from the Victorian government asking for $250 million towards reducing the risk of powerlines starting bushfires.

Victoria’s bushfire response awaits funding

12 January 2012 | Lucille Keen

PRINT: 12 January 2012 | PAGE 10 | Bushfire changes await funds

The Victorian government’s bushfire response relies on $250 million it does not have and it has yet to formally apply for federal funds.

Carr lashes ‘gutless’ attacks amid reshuffle disquiet

16 December 2011 | Gemma Daley and Laura Tingle

PRINT: 16 December 2011 | PAGE 5 | PM’s support crumbling

Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr has lashed out at “gutless” attacks on him through the media amid growing disquiet after Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Cabinet reshuffle this week.

Ferguson fails to support Gillard

15 December 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 16 December 2011 | PAGE 5 | Ferguson adds to heat on PM

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is facing new doubts about her leadership after a senior minister avoided a public statement of loyalty to her.

Elite homes no longer safe as houses

15 December 2011 | Robert Harley

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 48 | Elite homes are not as safe as houses

Australia’s best homes have been among the worst performers in the property market of 2011.

The MoG that stole Canberra’s Christmas

15 December 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 7 | The MoG that stole Christmas

Spare a thought as you wind down to Christmas for the federal public service. It has just been MoG’d, thanks to Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Monday cabinet reshuffle.

Women win as new Gillard ministry sworn in

14 December 2011 |

A glum face in the midst of a quartet of smiling female trailblazers showed there are winners and losers in a cabinet reshuffle.

Swearing-in an act hard to watch

14 December 2011 | Angus Grigg

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 7 | Swearing-in an act hard to watch

Australia's first female governor-general has praised Nicola Roxon for becoming the first female attorney-general at the swearing-in ceremony of the new-look Labor ministry.

Senior federal ministers break ranks

14 December 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 4 | Senior ministers break ranks

Prime Minister Julia Gillard came under fire from two of her senior ministers yesterday amid growing concern over her cabinet reshuffle.

Legal world stands by McClelland

14 December 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 4 | Legal world stands by McClelland

Robert McClelland is widely believed to have been replaced as attorney-general because Nicola Roxon showed more interest in the fight for plain packaging.

Inherited headaches to test ministers

14 December 2011 | Fleur Anderson

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 4 | Inherited headaches to test ministers

The winners and losers from Julia Gillard’s ministerial reshuffle will inherit a range of portfolio headaches that have the potential to escalate before the next election.

ASIC reins in rogue liquidators

14 December 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 3 | ASIC reins in rogue liquidators

Banks, small businesses and other creditors will be given greater powers after corporate collapses, as part of a federal overhaul of the ­insolvency industry to be announced on Wednesday.

We wanted to stay: Carr, McClelland

13 December 2011 | Gemma Daley

Updated | Two senior federal ministers have admitted they didn’t want to give up their current jobs as PM Julia Gillard denied anyone had threatened to resign over her cabinet reshuffle.

Canberra’s legal bill blows out

13 December 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 13 | Canberra legal bill blows out

Spending on solicitors and barristers by major federal government agencies blew out to nearly $600 million in the 2010-11 year, fuelled by a big rise in legal fees paid by the Australian Taxation Office.

PM’s act of weakness won’t trouble Rudd

13 December 2011 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 6 | Act of weakness won’t trouble Rudd

The tale of two ministers tells the story of Julia Gillard’s Cabinet reshuffle.

Roxon chosen to lead fight against big tobacco

13 December 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 7 | Roxon to lead fight against big tobacco

As Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has been chosen to lead the government’s response to litigation by tobacco companies on plain packaging laws.

Payback for Labor’s warlords

13 December 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | Payback for the warlords

Far from stamping her authority on the government, Julia Gillard’s reshuffle has only created more leadership headaches.

PM shores up shaky power base

12 December 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | PM shores up shaky power base

PM Julia Gillard has unveiled a new ministry that she says will equip the government to focus on her priorities for 2012, but which has revealed a leader unable to impose her will on her colleagues.

PM to bet her future on Shorten

12 December 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | PM to bet future on Shorten

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to unveil a high-risk reshuffle of her ministry today designed to elevate Bill Shorten into the industrial relations portfolio.

Gillard still needs all the help she can get

10 December 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 10 December 2011 | PAGE 49 | Gillard still needs all the help she can get

The Prime Minister has strengthened her position, but some of her ministers need to be doing more to sell the Labor message.

Gillard axes ministers

09 December 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 10 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | Gillard axes ministers

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has prepared the ground for a cabinet reshuffle as soon as Monday by talking to two ministers tipped to step down, helping to reinvigorate her team for the year ahead.

National briefs

09 December 2011 |

PRINT: 09 December 2011 | PAGE 16 |

Slater and Gordon expects to launch a class action for people who lost their homes in the recent officially lit fires in Margaret River.

PM weighs ministerial reshuffle

09 December 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 09 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | PM weighs ministerial reshuffle

Updated | Speculation is growing that Prime Minister Julia Gillard will announce a ministerial reshuffle within days in the first reshaping of Labor’s team since the election.

Reformist UK judge casts beady eye on litigation

02 December 2011 | Rachel Nickless

PRINT: 02 December 2011 | PAGE 55 | Reformist UK judge casts beady eye on litigation

A visiting authority says Australia’s discovery costs are ‘ridiculously expensive’.

National briefs

02 December 2011 |

PRINT: 02 December 2011 | PAGE 26 |

Volunteering is a habit handed down the family line and women are more likely to give their free time than men, according to survey results released yesterday.

Abu Dhabi market in a lull

28 November 2011 | Jenny Wiggins

PRINT: 28 November 2011 | PAGE 19 | Abu Dhabi market

International engineering group Arup has underscored the difficulties in the Middle East, warning Abu Dhabi’s construction market is in a lull.

Contractual code needs further debate

25 November 2011 | Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 25 November 2011 | PAGE 47 | Caution over code

Lawyers have welcomed the federal government’s decision to tread slowly in developing a national set of laws governing contractual agreements.

Number of insecurities over securities register

18 November 2011 | Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 18 November 2011 | PAGE 40 | Securities register insecurities

The federal government is angling to delay for the fourth time new laws governing security interests in personal property.

Merger planned for National Native Title Tribunal

18 November 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 18 November 2011 | PAGE 40 | Native Title Tribunal to merge

The National Native Title Tribunal would be folded into the Federal Court under a bid by the Gillard government to slash costs across federal courts and tribunals.

McClelland | Push for a national contract law to provide efficiencies

18 November 2011 | Robert McClelland

PRINT: 18 November 2011 | PAGE 42 | Call for discussion on national contract law

In a modern economy, the simpler and more certain the rules that govern business are, the better it is for business.

Australia’s imprisoned children

05 November 2011 | Brian Toohey

PRINT: 05 November 2011 | PAGE 55 | Australia’s imprisoned children

We get worked up when Indonesia arrests our children but we have their kids in adult prisons here.

Military Court still on the agenda

04 November 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 04 November 2011 | PAGE 49 | Military Court still on the agenda

The federal government still intends to create a Military Court of Australia in spite of objections by members of the military.

National briefs

02 November 2011 |

PRINT: 02 November 2011 | PAGE 8 |

Tobacco companies have won a six-month reprieve from tough new packaging rules because the legislation has stalled in the Senate.

Federal Court cost cutting found to be unsustainable

28 October 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 28 October 2011 | PAGE 41 | Federal Court cost cuts ‘unsustainable’

The continuing need for the Federal Court to find ways to cut costs in a tight funding environment is unsustainable, an independent consultant has determined.

Rudd puts food security issues on peers’ table

26 October 2011 | John Kerin

PRINT: 27 October 2011 | PAGE 32 | Rudd puts food security issues on his peers’ table

Kevin Rudd says Commonwealth leaders will back strong measures to boost food security and lobby European leaders over the debt crisis.

Corporate collapses inundate courts

26 October 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 26 October 2011 | PAGE 5 | Corporate collapses inundate courts

The 2010-11 financial year was the busiest of the last five for the Federal Court as it dealt with a surge in corporate claims involving failed companies, and as it grappled with a lack of funds.

NSW takes legal board plans to next level

21 October 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 21 October 2011 | PAGE 39 | NSW takes board plans to next level

The next battle in the establishment of a national legal profession will centre on who is appointed to a new national legal services board and commissioner’s office.

Search for copyright law safe haven

21 October 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 21 October 2011 | PAGE 39 | Copyright safe haven sought

The government wants to broaden safe harbour protections to encourage education institutions and search engines to work with copyright owners.

NSW beats Vic to host national legal board

20 October 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 20 October 2011 | PAGE 12 | NSW beats Vic to host legal board

NSW will host a new national legal services board and commissioner after a deadlocked vote with Victoria was broken by federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland.

Hollywood access ‘a privacy risk’

18 October 2011 | David Ramli

PRINT: 18 October 2011 | PAGE 14 | Hollywood access ‘a privacy risk’

The government is considering giving Hollywood studios “streamlined” access to the personal details of internet users, a move slammed by privacy advocates.

Copyright changes proposed to cope with internet

14 October 2011 |

The federal government has announced plans to to broaden definitions in the Copyright Amendment Act, to cope with the explosion of material published on the internet.

Pokies industry precommits $40m to see MPs lose

14 October 2011 | Pamela Williams

PRINT: 14 October 2011 | PAGE 1 | Pokies industry precommits $40m to see MPs lose

The powerful triumvirate of clubs, casinos and hotels campaigning against poker machine reforms has more than doubled its spending power as it prepares to escalate hostilities.

National reform begins with a ballot

14 October 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 14 October 2011 | PAGE 43 | National reform begins with a ballot

A ballot to determine which state will host a proposed national legal services board and commissioner will be held on Friday or early next week.

Government external advice pool may get deeper

14 October 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 14 October 2011 | PAGE 45 | Government external advice pool may get deeper

The federal government released a draft of its new approach to external law firms this week, which lawyers say has the potential to increase competition.

National briefs

12 October 2011 |

PRINT: 12 October 2011 | PAGE 12 |

The union representing Qantas Airways’ engineers delivered notice of a four-hour strike on Friday afternoon.

Wilkie has each-way pokie bet

28 September 2011 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 28 September 2011 | PAGE 14 | Wilkie has each-way pokie bet

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has remained supportive of a trial period for mandatory pre-commitment technology in poker machines, up to a point.

Breaking down digital walls

20 September 2011 | Brian Corrigan

PRINT: 20 September 2011 | PAGE 49 | Dismantling the digital walls

The digital economy has become an increasingly important focus of trade discussions between nations.

Attempts to limit courts aren’t new

13 September 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 13 September 2011 | PAGE 6 | Attempts to limit courts aren’t new

In proposing broad amendments to give the executive the ability to manage migration, the Gillard government is moving to limit the courts in reviewing such decisions.

Nauru or no deal on asylum seekers: Coalition

12 September 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 12 September 2011 | PAGE 7 | Nauru or no deal: Coalition

The Gillard government is under pressure to widen its amendments to migration law as the Coalition insists on changes that let asylum seekers be detained in Nauru.

Four states agree on unified system

09 September 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 09 September 2011 | PAGE 41 | Four states agree on unified system

Four states and federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland agreed to speed the introduction of national legal profession reforms by October.

Judge sees threat to privacy

02 September 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 02 September 2011 | PAGE 22 | Judge sees threat to privacy

A senior US appeals court judge warns that society faces “serious damage” from a decline in the respect for privacy.

PM attacks chief justice over asylum

01 September 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 02 September 2011 | PAGE 10 | PM attacks chief justice over asylum

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has launched an extraordinary broadside at the High Court and Chief Justice Robert French.

Government slams WikiLeaks on terror cable

30 August 2011 |

The federal government has slammed the WikILeaks website for publishing a US diplomatic cable that details 23 Australians believed to have links to Yemeni terrorism.

States at odds over reforms

26 August 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 26 August 2011 | PAGE 21 | States at odds over reforms

Four states will push on with a proposed national legal profession scheme despite a lack of agreement and dwindling support for the key microeconomic reform.

Pre-action protocol laws put on hold

26 August 2011 | Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 26 August 2011 | PAGE 21 | Pre-action protocols put on hold

The NSW government has put a freeze on laws that would require parties to take “reasonable steps” to resolve or narrow disputed issues before going to court.

Lawyers need national rules

24 August 2011 |

PRINT: 24 August 2011 | PAGE 62 | Lawyers need national rules

The potential collapse of national legal professional standards highlights a deep problem.

States reject lawyers’ standards

23 August 2011 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 23 August 2011 | PAGE 3 | States reject lawyers’ standards

A proposed national system to regulate lawyers is collapsing after leaders representing half the federation refused to back the proposal at an inter-government meeting on Friday.

NSW, Vic push to host national legal services board

19 August 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 19 August 2011 | PAGE 21 | NSW, Vic push to host board

NSW and Victoria are likely to argue they should host a national legal services board and commissioner when the Council of Australian Governments meets today.

Veteran campaigner in age-old fight

08 August 2011 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 06 August 2011 | PAGE 8 | Veteran campaigner in age-old fight

The woman put in charge of tackling age discrimination knows a thing or two about changing the way that employers think.

Mediator resolves to cut reliance on courts

29 July 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 29 July 2011 | PAGE 46 | Mediator resolves to cut reliance on court

New NADRAC chairman, Sydney barrister Jeremy Gormly SC, hopes to dissuade lawyers and litigants from turning first to the courts to resolve disputes.

Magistrates’ $10m revolt

29 July 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 29 July 2011 | PAGE 1 | Magistrates’ $10m revolt

Federal magistrates have accused the commonwealth of threatening their independence, in a last-ditch High Court bid to gain lifelong pensions.

Taxpayers are ‘disaster underwriters’

27 July 2011 |

Australian taxpayers have become the default underwriters of the soaring costs of ever greater natural disasters, federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland has warned.

National briefs

27 July 2011 |

PRINT: 27 July 2011 | PAGE 13 |

A bee sanctuary in NSW, an African display at the Australia Zoo and a “total chocolate experience” in Tasmania are tourism projects to be government funded.

Pulling together for a collaborative goal

22 July 2011 | Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 22 July 2011 | PAGE 41 | Pulling together for a collaborative goal

New federal laws requiring parties to resolve disputes before commencing court proceedings should increase the take up of collaborative law.

A-Gs to discuss sport match fixing

22 July 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 22 July 2011 | PAGE 41 | A-Gs to discuss sport match fixing

Match fixing in sport, a national contract law and progress on a national legal profession regime are to be discussed by federal and state attorneys-general.

New look at privacy laws

22 July 2011 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 22 July 2011 | PAGE 15 | New look at privacy laws

The private lives of celebrities would be shielded under a new, legal right to privacy, but those less well-off would still be at risk of unwanted media attention.

No new media laws needed: McClelland

15 July 2011 |

Australia has no need of new laws to regulate the media, Attorney-General Robert McClelland says.

Codified system a Berlin talking point

15 July 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 15 July 2011 | PAGE 42 | Codified system a Berlin talking point

The merits of a codified system of law was a major talking point at the Australian Bar Association’s biennial conference in Berlin last week.

Judges fight for their turf

15 July 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 15 July 2011 | PAGE 1 | Judges fight for their turf

A senior Federal Court judge has hit out at the rising cost of going to court and warned against the government’s push for more alternative dispute resolution, saying it risks side­lining the judiciary.

A fillip for international crime fighters

14 July 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 14 July 2011 | PAGE 4 | A fillip for crime fighters

The federal government has announced $250,000 in extra funding for the International Criminal Court at a meeting of Commonwealth law ministers in Sydney.

Ombudsman cuts use of lawyers

08 July 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 08 July 2011 | PAGE 18 | Ombudsman cuts use of lawyers

The Fair Work Ombudsman plans to reduce its use of external lawyers for civil litigation after the federal ­government gave it an exemption from directions requiring the use of law firms for a year.

Ministers put rights on agenda

24 June 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 24 June 2011 | PAGE 62 | Ministers

Cyber crime, international judicial assistance and civil legal aid will be priority items when 41 countries meet for the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in July.

Cyber blitz on business

22 June 2011 | John Kerin

PRINT: 22 June 2011 | PAGE 13 | Cyber blitz on business

The chief government authority dealing with cyber security has alerted Australian business to more than 250,000 intrusions in the first six months of 2011.

National briefs

20 June 2011 |

PRINT: 20 June 2011 | PAGE 11 |

Class action law firm Maurice Blackburn will be paid $25 million for negotiating a $95 million settlement with packaging giants Amcor and Visy for cartel behaviour.

Clutz’s lingering PR headache

10 June 2011 | Edited by Alex Boxsell with Hannah Low and Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 10 June 2011 | PAGE 42 | Clutz’s lingering PR headache

There’s nothing like a bit of tit-for-tat when it comes to litigation strategy, especially if there’s media involved.

Bar holds key to ADR

10 June 2011 | Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 10 June 2011 | PAGE 20 | Bar holds key to ADR

Barristers hold the key to the success of alternative dispute resolution, NSW Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin said this week.

National contract law ‘well received’

10 June 2011 | Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 10 June 2011 | PAGE 20 | National contract law ‘well received’

The federal government plans to introduce a national set of laws governing contracts to make it easier to do business across state borders.

National briefs

08 June 2011 |

PRINT: 08 June 2011 | PAGE 17 |

Former Queensland minister Gordon Nuttall’s corruption was so serious he should spend an additional two years in jail, a court ruled.

Pro bono a bonus for law students

06 June 2011 | Joanna Mather

PRINT: 06 June 2011 | PAGE 29 | Pro bono a bonus for law students

Eric White has already experienced one of the seminal moments in any lawyer’s career: representing a client in court.

PC users get their call to arms

04 June 2011 | John Kerin

PRINT: 04 June 2011 | PAGE 49 | Coming to a PC near you

Cyber warfare may be coming to a home computer near you or even your own, according to one of the nation’s foremost cyber security experts.

Govt to develop cyber blueprint

03 June 2011 |

The federal government has moved to address the growing threat of electronic espionage and cyber attack by announcing it will develop a national strategy.

NSW chief justice shuffles into office

03 June 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 03 June 2011 | PAGE 43 | NSW chief justice shuffles into office

The farewell and swearing-in of NSW chief justices this week was a chance for members of the profession to dance a fine line between comedy roast and flattery.

WA lawyers spoil McClelland’s party

27 May 2011 |

PRINT: 27 May 2011 | PAGE 42 | WA lawyers spoil McClelland’s party

Attorney-General Robert McClelland made a last-ditch attempt last Friday to convince WA lawyers to join the new national regime.

Abbott accused of policy on the run

23 May 2011 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 23 May 2011 | PAGE 6 | Abbott accused of policy on the run

An exchange between Opposition leader Tony Abbott and his Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey was part of a wider debate over how policy should be released.

Bush needs lawyers

20 May 2011 |

PRINT: 20 May 2011 | PAGE 49 | Bush needs lawyers

The federal government and the Law Council of Australia will today launch a program designed to attract more lawyers to rural areas.

National briefs

16 May 2011 |

PRINT: 16 May 2011 | PAGE 8 | Briefs

Thailand is keen to strike a similar deal with Australia to an in-principle agreement with Malaysia to swap 800 asylum seekers for 4000 refugees.

No retrospective terror compo

13 May 2011 |

Australian victims of overseas acts of terrorism will not necessarily be entitled to retrospective payments of compensation.

Hypocrisy is drug of choice

13 May 2011 | Edited by Alex Boxsell with Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 13 May 2011 | PAGE 43 | Hypocrisy is drug of choice

Can’t function without a hit of the Crimes Act? Can’t resist a daily trip to the Local Court? If this is you, you’re probably a law and order junkie.

Budget short on legal assistance funds

13 May 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 13 May 2011 | PAGE 41 | Budget short on legal assistance funds

The federal government has disappointed the legal profession by failing to meet its demand for an urgent injection of money for legal assistance services.

Spectrum goes to telcos, police miss out

13 May 2011 | David Ramli

PRINT: 13 May 2011 | PAGE 3 | Spectrum goes to telcos, police miss out

The federal government has agreed to sell $1 billion of prized broadcast spectrum to telecommunications companies, angering emergency services groups.

Reforms soon to be endorsed

06 May 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 06 May 2011 | PAGE 46 | Reforms soon to be endorsed

National reform of the way lawyers and law firms are regulated is on track to be finalised by the end of the month and could be endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in the next two months.

When push-back comes to shove

05 May 2011 | Neil Chenoweth

PRINT: 05 May 2011 | PAGE 65 | Wickenby: when push-back comes to shove

When Project Wickenby prosecutors got bogged down in a morass of overseas court battles, tax treaties and legal standards, they sought to change the Foreign Evidence Act. That provoked an equal and opposite reaction.

Call to restore ALRC funding

15 April 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 15 April 2011 | PAGE 20 | Call to restore ALRC funding

The federal government is under pressure to restore funding and preserve the independence of the Australian Law Reform Commission.

Civil disputes change could raise costs

01 April 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 01 April 2011 | PAGE 43 | Civil disputes change could raise costs

New laws designed to keep more cases out of federal courts should help reduce the cost and time taken to resolve disputes, but there is a risk they could give rise to new costs and further litigation, lawyers say.

Australia ‘must improve’ disaster management

26 March 2011 | Jenny Wiggins

PRINT: 26 March 2011 | PAGE 6 | australia ‘must improve’ disaster management capabilities

Federal, state and local governments need to be more proactive in preparing the country for natural disasters as climate change raises the risk of more “staggering” events, Attorney-General Robert McClelland has warned.

Firms raise concerns over reforms

25 March 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 25 March 2011 | PAGE 20 | Firms raise concerns over reforms

Legal costs, liabilities of partners, complaints against lawyers and discipline are among a series of outstanding concerns large law firms want addressed before national profession reforms are settled in May.

In China it’s better to open a branch

25 March 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 25 March 2011 | PAGE 20 | In China it’s better to open a branch

The importance of Australian law firms having branch offices in China and Hong Kong to win work from Asia has been revealed in key legal services export data from the International Legal Services Advisory Council.

Federal A-G “goes it alone” on complaints

18 March 2011 | Samantha Bowers

PRINT: 18 March 2011 | PAGE 41 | New system formalises handling of complaints

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland will today announce a new system for handling complaints about federal judges.

Police push for more space on the airwaves

15 March 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 15 March 2011 | PAGE 3 | Mobile users face slowdown in wireless plan

Consumers are at risk of losing speed and coverage with the next generation of mobile phones under a plan before federal cabinet to cut the wireless capacity available for the nation’s three big telcos.

From rock  ’n’ roll to courtroom goal

11 March 2011 | ALEX BOXSELL

PRINT: 11 March 2011 | PAGE 46 | From rock ’n’ roll to courtroom goal

Gilbert+Tobin outrocked performers from Allens Arthur Robinson, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and IBM to claim victory in Westpac’s annual Battle of the Bands competition last week

Tender changes to benefit small firms

11 March 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 11 March 2011 | PAGE 45 | Tender changes to benefit small firms

The federal government plans to begin introducing sweeping changes to the way its agencies and departments procure external legal services in the next six months, federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said this week.

Copyright, internet face new scrutiny

04 March 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 04 March 2011 | PAGE 43 | Copyright, internet face new scrutiny

There are few issues as important in intellectual property as the change brought by digital technology, a Sydney conference has been told.

A-G forum to set agenda on Standing Council of Law

04 March 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 04 March 2011 | PAGE 41 | A-G forum sets agenda

Federal and state attorneys-general meet in Wellington today to discuss new policy and reform priorities for the year ahead.

Running for cover over leaks

25 February 2011 | Edited by alex boxsell

PRINT: 25 February 2011 | PAGE 43 | Running for cover over leaks

fter the federal government’s rush to damn WikiLeaks late last year, the secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department Roger Wilkins was doing his best Sergeant Shultz – “I Know Nothing” – when asked whether his agency had provided any advice in relation to the matter during a Senate estimates hearing this week.

Changes likely with new crop of AGs

25 February 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 25 February 2011 | PAGE 25 | Changes likely with new crop of A-Gs

There has been a changing of the guard for meetings of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, with four new Attorneys having been appointed in the past year and another in NSW expected after the March 26 election.

AGS ‘set for great year’

18 February 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 18 February 2011 | PAGE 39 | AGS ‘set for great year’

Great things were ahead for the Australian Government Solicitor this year, federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.

National briefs

12 February 2011 |

PRINT: 12 February 2011 | PAGE 10 |

A national committee will review state government insurance arrangements following recent natural disasters

Judge savages Keddies for misconduct

11 February 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 11 February 2011 | PAGE 46 | Judge savages Keddies for misconduct

It was the Battle of the Personal Injury Firms in the NSW District Court last Friday, when Stacks scored an embarrassing defeat over rival Keddies Lawyers.

Win for barristers, loss for solicitors

11 February 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 11 February 2011 | PAGE 44 | Win for barristers, loss for solicitors

Senior and junior barristers have secured their first pay rise for federal government work in more than a decade, with federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland this week directing a near 50 per cent increase in official pay thresholds.

G-G embroiled in Senate crisis

11 February 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 11 February 2011 | PAGE 16 | G-G embroiled in Senate crisis

A parliamentary battle has begun over the constitutionality and fiscal responsibility of a $317 million change to the youth allowance passed by the Senate yesterday, which faces an uncertain fate in the House of Representatives.

E-commerce laws to be updated

09 February 2011 |

Attorney-General Robert McClelland on Wednesday introduced legal amendments "addressing the challenges of existing, new and emerging technologies in e-commerce".

Legal heavyweights hit out at changes

04 February 2011 | Verona Burgess

PRINT: 04 February 2011 | PAGE 62 | Legal heavyweights hit out at changes

The secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department [AGD], Roger Wilkins, should be feeling a tad isolated this week.

Push for firms to be paid when staff volunteer

04 February 2011 | Lisa Murray

PRINT: 04 February 2011 | PAGE 22 | Push for firms to be paid when their staff volunteer

Emergency services organisations are calling on the federal government to reimburse employers that allow volunteers time off work to respond to natural disasters.

Emergency payments inflate rebuilding cost

04 February 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 04 February 2011 | PAGE 15 | Emergency payments inflate rebuilding costs

Canberra warns of an “expensive” recovery bill following cyclone Yasi despite early signs that the damage to infrastructure in the past two days is modest compared to that inflicted by the Queensland floods.

Military on standby for Yasi’s aftermath

02 February 2011 | John Kerin

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the military was on standby to help communities isolated in the aftermarth of Cyclone Yasi.

National briefs

31 January 2011 |

PRINT: 31 January 2011 | PAGE 7 |

The federal government has launched a $61 million advertising campaign drawing a direct link between smoking and lung cancer to encourage more people to kick the habit.