Indigenous Recognition in the Australian Constitution
January 30, 2012
JURIST Guest Columnist Anne Twomey of the University of Sydney Law School says that there are considerable challenges to passing the proposed changes to the Australian Constitution, in large part because they raise the question of how much control over the legislative process ought to be granted to....... [more] 
Australia panel calls for recognition of indigenous population in constitution
January 19, 2012
A panel of Australian citizens on Thursday proposed that the country's Constitution recognize the Australian indigenous population, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Currently, although Aborigines make up almost three percent of the Australian population, they are not mentione....... [more]
Plain Packaging: Fighting the Chill of Investment Treaties
December 7, 2011
JURIST Guest Columnist Allyn Taylor of the Georgetown University Law Center says countries' efforts to protect their citizens from the public health danger of tobacco may suffer a chilling blow from a successful tobacco company lawsuit in Australia...On November 21, the Australian Parliament enacted....... [more]
Second tobacco company challenges new Australia packaging law
December 6, 2011
A second major tobacco company, Imperial Tobacco, Ltd., on Tuesday filed an action in Australia's High Court challenging the country's new tobacco packaging laws. Last month, Parliament approved the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill, which removes descriptive colors and logos from cigarette boxes and r....... [more]
Australia ruling party amends platform to support same-sex marriage
December 3, 2011
The Australian Labor Party Saturday officially amended its platform to support same-sex marriage. The ruling party's decision to support same-sex marriage followed emotional debate and speeches from both sides of the issue at its national conference in Sydney, where 400 delegates voted to amend the....... [more]
Tobacco company challenges new Australia cigarette packaging law
December 1, 2011
British American Tobacco (BAT) brought legal action in Australia's High Court on Thursday in response to the country's new tobacco packaging laws. Two weeks ago, Parliament enacted the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill, which removes descriptive colors and logos from cigarette boxes and requires a depic....... [more]
Australia senate passed bills giving equal rights to same-sex couples
November 24, 2011
On November 24, 2008, the Australian Senate approved two bills that granted same-sex couples equal rights compared to heterosexual married couples, but did not give them the right to marry. The Australian government initiated the legislation, which recognizes same-sex "de facto" relationships and gr....... [more]
Philip Morris sues to block new Australia tobacco label requirements
November 21, 2011
Philip Morris Asia Ltd. (PMA) on Monday initiated legal proceedings on behalf of its Australian subsidiary Philip Morris Ltd. against the Australian government to block new plain package labeling requirements for tobacco products set to go into effect in December 2012. The company is also seeking co....... [more]
Australia PM proposes vote on same-sex marriage
November 15, 2011
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Tuesday that, while she is personally opposed to same-sex marriage, the decision should be left to parliamentary vote. Gillard called on the Australian Labor Party to back her adamant position that the institution of marriage has a particular meaning an....... [more]
Australia Senate passes law banning cigarette brand labels
November 10, 2011
The Australian Senate on Thursday passed the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 which requires that cigarettes be sold in generic olive green packages, without brands or logos. The packages will also have warnings of the potential health risks of smoking. Australia is the first country in the world t....... [more]
Australia passes law putting price on carbon emissions
November 8, 2011
The Australian Senate voted 36-32 Tuesday to approve legislation that will impose a price on carbon emissions in an effort to improve the environment and the country's economy. The new law will put a fixed rate of A$23 per ton on carbon units with limits on how many can be auctioned and given out. T....... [more]
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