Significant fallout is likely from the NSW inquiry into the treatment of Australian asbestos victims by James Hardie Industries. Federal and State governments are already considering legislation to access James Hardie's overseas assets, and there are growing calls to 'lift the corporate veil' - fundamental to corporations law for 140 years - by restricting 'limited...

What should a public servant be able to say publicly about government matters? In August 2001, both civilian and military arms of Defence issued new instructions severely restricting staff contact with the media. Even tighter restrictions were imposed on Operation Relex, which interdicted people-smuggling operations on Australia's northern borders. Concern was expressed at the time...

The High Court in Shaw v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (December 2003) has decreed that all British settlers who arrived in Australia after 1949 are 'aliens' unless they have become Australian citizens. Any non-citizen British migrants can now be expelled from Australia if, for example, convicted of a serious crime.

Aren't all children born in Australia, 'Australian'? Not necessarily. Until 1986 every child born in this country automatically became an Australian citizen at birth - no matter who the parents were. Only children of foreign diplomats and 'enemy aliens' did not become Australian citizens. The Citizenship Act was amended in 1986 to remove automatic citizenship...

The High Court is divided about the status of many thousands of British nationals living in Australia who have not formally become citizens of this country. At stake is the right of such people to freely remain in Australia. The federal government is currently attempting to deport a British migrant who has lived here since...