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-...

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pabai Pabai to be appealed.

The Victorian Statewide Treaty Bill has passed through both Houses of the Parliament. A truly historic and significant occasion. Much credit to the commitment and leadership on both sides.

Smoking Ceremony at Parliament House ahead of an historic address to the Legislative Assembly by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Co-Chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg.

Timor-Leste joins ASEAN.

Don’t be like that!

´Works’ being judged at what point in time?

Vale Jane Goodall. What a wonderful life. I was excited to take the kids to hear her speak on tour just last year. She fought for our planet right to the end. Thank you www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

@ronnisalt.bsky.social everyone must watch "People V Robodebt", free on SBS on demand. If Campbell & every LNP politician involved don't face charges, along with NACC Chief Commissioner, Paul Brereton no one will ever trust politicians again. @albomp.bsky.social Replace Brereton with Watson NOW !

Amidst all the misery, some really great news.

"I never imagined I would see fear spread so far and fast in the US." This from the writer who gave us definitive accounts of East Germany and other late state socialist societies in the 1980s.

Fair enough.

That is terrible. So very sorry to hear it.

Coming out in Constitutional Studies early next year, @glexareen.bsky.social. I very much enjoyed reading and thinking about it.

Scotus grants cert in tariff cases.

A bill is being presented to the Victorian Parliament … an in-principle agreement for a treaty with First Nations peoples here. Is there bigger news in the country today?

More strength to your arm! But how does disallowance come into this? Is a legislative instrument involved?

Thé practice is outrageous. I hope this works.

Here is my response to being struck off from the roll of Hong Kong Solicitors, which was made public today in the Hong Kong Government Gazette. (Link to Gazette entry: www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/eng...)

The Louvre’s Entire Collection Goes Online: View and Download 480,00 Works of Art

A win, but not exonerated.

An important debate to which this is a very useful contribution, needing more and broader, similarly frank and clear-sighted contributions, responding to experience.

Bizarre, on the face of it.

Looks terrific. And what a great theme, including for time and place!