Elizabeth Evatt provides a synoptic overview of the varying degrees to which Australian governments have signed up to and implemented international human rights treaties. She identifies a range of issues arising from failure to respect the views and findings of independent treaty bodies, turning the executive and the parliament into the sole arbiters of compliance...

Colleen Lewis investigates the effectiveness of attempts around Australia to increase the public accountability of the police. She highlights the complex relationship between police and government and the reduction of judicial oversight under anti-terrorism laws.

Richard Engstrom provides a comparative analysis of the methods used to determine electoral boundaries in the United States and Australia. This paper provides an insight into the largely partisan nature of redistribution ('redistricting') in the US and highlights the benefits of the more independent nature of Australian electoral commissions.

Sally Young assesses propaganda theory in relation to the current debate on the use and possible misuse of government advertising by incumbent Coalition and Labor parties. In particular, Young comments on the relationship between governments, as major advertisers, and the editorial content of media outlets.

Following the first anniversary of the ACT Human Rights Act 2004, Gabrielle McKinnon examines the impact of the legislation on rights protection in the Australian Capital Territory. Her review covers impact on the courts, on legislation and on policy development.