"Much can be done to improve remand. The government should be seeking to do so." HUGH SELBY takes deep dive into the state of bail laws in the ACT.
Hugh Selby
Hugh Selby is the "CityNews" legal affairs commentator. His free podcasts on "Witness Essentials" and "Advocacy in court: preparation and performance" can be heard on the best known podcast sites.
"Sofronoff got away from us. Never again. If there is an inquiry, we’ll know before it starts what the outcomes will be." HUGH SELBY imagines what Labor's thinking in the wake of agreeing to an inquiry into indigenous deaths in custody.
"A day began with a reasoned point of view about something: politics, sport, religion, veterans, lifestyle – current issues to be confirmed or questioned by the editorial." Columnist HUGH SELBY wants to make editorials great again.
"When I hobble to the shop, they push past, not a thought about how we faced danger, lost friends so they could enjoy trauma-free, latte-sipping lives." Anzac Day was just days ago. Columnist HUGH SELBY bears witness to a painful week.
"The response of government and Corrections to the AMC public scandal has been silence, an adroit move because there are no votes in prison reform and a heap of trouble if an independent spotlight is shone on the mess," writes HUGH SELBY.
"When we can decide on an inclusive national day then the Welcome to Country would take its place in that day’s ceremonies, alongside many other cross-cultural motifs that, in sum, make up our Australian identity," writes HUGH SELBY.
"A lack of resources within the ODPP means that it has received insufficient funding to employ experienced staff. That shortfall means that the Barr government has decided not to accept a request for the necessary funds," writes HUGH SELBY.
Columnist HUGH SELBY again finds his political imagination eavesdropping: he's observing the Civic meeting room of the Officers of the Perpetual Opposition, where its members have gathered for morning tea and sticky buns.
"We can’t thank Auntie for giving space to those schools on Canberra Avenue using the running down of two non-voters to press for changes to protect other non-voters as they cross the road..." HUGH SELBY finds his imagination eavesdropping.
"To see useful change in government service, then articles and letters must start by recognising the apathy most of us have to politicians and their indifference to us." HUGH SELBY despairs at an electorate seduced by political illusions.
"A bureaucratic jungle faces the applicant, who needs to have endless patience, the fortitude to resist the many obstacles, much time to spare, and either a lot of money or no money at all." HUGH SELBY grades the FOI system a fail.
Legal columnist HUGH SELBY says the nub of the problem with indigenisation is that in the Australian legal system that governs us all, it lacks the substance and the relevance to be given the role of “significant”.
