Carbon offsets: regulation for success. This project researches the crucial regulatory role of law in ensuring carbon offsets trading is effective and fair, and ultimately adds to emissions reduction. The intended outcomes are well-informed and realistic recommendations for Australian regulation in an international market.
Reconceiving Australian federalism: fundamental values, comparative models and constitutional interpretation. Through systematic comparison with other federal systems, this project identifies the range of fundamental principles and values that could underlie the Australian system of government, explores their application to the interpretation of the Australian Constitution and scrutinises proposed reforms to the Australian system on the basis of that analysis.
Securing Australia's food and fibre futures: intellectual property and access to plant genetic resources. The project aims to improve the operation of the scheme that currently regulates access to plant genetic resources in Australia. It aims to ensure that the regulatory scheme does not hamper access to plant genetic resources but instead will enhance the development of new plants, which is essential for Australia's future food and fibre security.
Freedom of speech in the post 9/11 era. This project will assess the place of freedom of speech in political attitudes in a post 9/11 world. It will show that, and how, liberal democracies both undermine and simultaneously assert the importance of the fundamental human rights that are the very basis for their perceived vulnerability to terrorists.
Mitigating tax barriers to trade and investment relations between Australia and the People’s Republic of China. China and Australia's conflicting tax rules and attitudes towards tax administration affect the level of trade, investment and labour mobility between the two countries. This project will explore and propose methods of reform for both the Chinese and Australian tax systems to strengthen our economic relationship.
The law of deliberative democracy: theory and reform. Deliberation is essential to the health of electoral and representative democracy. This project will evaluate and recommend the reform of the law underpinning democratic politics in Australia, to enhance its deliberative quality.
Maritime legal practice and policy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf: synergies and challenges for Australian trade and security. The project will analyse national practice relating to maritime claims and jurisdiction in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. It will identify areas of instability in the region that may pose a threat to freedom of international navigation and trade.
Religious autonomy and the restriction of rights or freedoms by religious communities: comparative and theoretical approaches. Religious communities must be autonomous in order to protect their unique identity and mission. Yet in exercising their autonomy they may interfere with the rights or freedoms of others. This project's sophisticated analysis of the tension between the two sets of rights will offer a resolution that strengthens Australia's social fabric.
England's obedient servant? The history of Australian tort law, 1901-1945. Did Australian courts develop an Australian law of tort between federation and the Second World War despite the confines of being bound formally or informally by English precedent? Australian courts may have been more creative and independent and less subservient to England than previously thought.
The Impact of Hate Speech Laws on Public Discourse in Australia. 2009 will mark the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the first Australian laws (NSW) directed at the regulation of hate speech. Although hate speech laws are now firmly embedded in Australia's legal landscape, and have been extended in some jurisdictions to vilification based on religious and sexual orientation, they remain a controversial instrument for supporting Australia's policies on multiculturalism, religious tolerance an ....The Impact of Hate Speech Laws on Public Discourse in Australia. 2009 will mark the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the first Australian laws (NSW) directed at the regulation of hate speech. Although hate speech laws are now firmly embedded in Australia's legal landscape, and have been extended in some jurisdictions to vilification based on religious and sexual orientation, they remain a controversial instrument for supporting Australia's policies on multiculturalism, religious tolerance and respect for difference. An examination of the effects of hate speech laws on public discourse - both intended and unintended - will offer valuable insights about the capacity of law to deliver social cohesion in 21st century Australia.Read moreRead less