Law, order and federalism in Australia. In a series of recent cases the High Court has emphasised the constitutional imperatives of judicial independence and impartiality in State court systems. These developments provide minimum human rights protections to individuals confronting criminal justice in the States. But what has not been considered is the cost of these developments. This project will investigate the uncertainty of the constitutional restrictions confronting State governments when re ....Law, order and federalism in Australia. In a series of recent cases the High Court has emphasised the constitutional imperatives of judicial independence and impartiality in State court systems. These developments provide minimum human rights protections to individuals confronting criminal justice in the States. But what has not been considered is the cost of these developments. This project will investigate the uncertainty of the constitutional restrictions confronting State governments when responding to law and order priorities, and the extent to which these have led to the frustration of policy development and experimentation across the Australian federation.Read moreRead less
Constitutional change in authoritarian regimes: the case of Myanmar. This project aims to understand how and why constitutions change in authoritarian regimes. After decades of authoritarian rule, there is lively public debate about formal amendment of the Myanmar constitution. Based on rigorous qualitative methods including archival research and in-depth interviews, this project expects to investigate why Myanmar's Constitution is both a constraint and an enabler of democratic reform. This time ....Constitutional change in authoritarian regimes: the case of Myanmar. This project aims to understand how and why constitutions change in authoritarian regimes. After decades of authoritarian rule, there is lively public debate about formal amendment of the Myanmar constitution. Based on rigorous qualitative methods including archival research and in-depth interviews, this project expects to investigate why Myanmar's Constitution is both a constraint and an enabler of democratic reform. This timely socio-legal project seeks to inform Australia’s political, economic and cultural engagement with Myanmar as a strategic neighbour in south-east Asia and a new market for foreign investment.Read moreRead less
A comparative study of the prerogative and reserve powers in Commonwealth nations. This project will compare and analyse the exercise of unwritten executive powers (such as emergency powers and the power to dismiss governments) in Commonwealth countries with similar systems of government to ours. It will assist in developing good governance in our region and a better understanding of the limits of executive power in Australia.
1989 and the rule of law revolution. This project explores three elements of the post-1989 worldwide rule of law revolution: constitutionalism, 'dealing with the past', and rule of law promotion. Australia increasingly seeks to promote the rule of law internationally, but these efforts draw on an inadequate base of knowledge and theory. This project work will expand that base.