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Democracy in the misinformation age 13 October 2026
What impact does 'fake news' have on public discourse, democracy and the justice system? And how can governments and journalists meet the challenge?A former judge, a journalist turned researcher and a political strategist shine a light on democracy in the age of misinformation and disinformation.Listen to a panel discussion moderated by the Law Report's Damien […]
Rogue OpenAI agents hacked into Medicare — is it a crime? 6 October 2026
When OpenAI agents gained unauthorised access to the Medicare data portal, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was extremely concerned about the privacy breach. But are there any legal consequences? Could OpenAI be prosecuted for the hack? Could it be liable in a civil action?As the technology develops at breakneck speed, the Law Report discusses what […]
Should smart glasses be banned in public places? 29 September 2026
Concerns over privacy breaches linked to smart glasses are seeing authorities around Australia move to restrict where they can be used.Western Australia has announced a complete ban in public schools, which takes effect next month.Local councils are also taking action, with the City of Randwick in Sydney investigating whether it can prohibit smart glasses at […]
Is influencing someone to end their life a crime in Australia? 22 September 2026
The Victorian government has pledged to implement a raft of reforms around domestic and family violence if it is re-elected in November.One promise is to introduce a new manslaughter offence in cases where a person is found to have taken their own life due to family violence.So, is it currently possible to convict a person […]
The rapid rise of AI use in employment law disputes 15 September 2026
A Sydney computing academic made headlines when he won a landmark case at the Fair Work Commission by relying entirely on artificial intelligence.The Law Report explores concerns over the rapid rise in the use of AI by self-represented litigants in employment law disputes.
01 | Can a stranger inherit everything you own? 14 August 2026
An elderly man goes into respite care and meets a nurse he's never known before. Within days she's bought him a will kit and had a document drawn up that leaves everything to her. He dies weeks later. Was that his clear settled wish, or something else entirely? Proving the difference is where it gets hard. And […]
02 | The will written on a frozen fish packet 14 August 2026
A frozen fish packet. An unsent text. A tractor fender. Courts have accepted all of these as valid wills.You want to write a will and make sure that your assets go to those who you think deserve your generosity.So, how can you make sure the will is binding? Does it need to be a formal […]
03 | He worked the farm for decades and got nothing 14 August 2026
You work the family farm your whole life, then it's left to someone else.When drafting a will, the law says you don't have to be fair or equal in deciding who will receive your estate.So, after you pass away, can disgruntled family members or friends challenge your will in the courts? Conflicts over inheritance arise […]
04 | Asked to be an executor? What you're really signing up for 14 August 2026
If a relative asks you to be the executor of their will, should you accept? What can go wrong and what do you need to know before you agree to take on the role? When disputes arise, executors are the ones left to clean up the mess, often navigating difficult family dynamics. And saying yes […]
Alan Jones on trial 11 August 2026
The criminal trial of former radio broadcaster Alan Jones has begun in the Local Court in Sydney.

Morton v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2026] HCA 38 (14 October 2026) (Gageler CJ; Jagot and Beech-Jones JJ) 13 October 2026
Catchwords: Immigration – Visas – Where delegate refused application for Return (Residence) (Class BB) visa – Where ministerial direction required consideration of protection of Australian community and extent of impediments applicant may face if removed – Whether delegate failed to consider information concerning access to medication, therapy and supports in Singapore – Whether delegate failed […]
Smith v Chief Executive, Queensland Corrective Services [2026] HCA 37 (14 October 2026) (Gordon A-Cj, Edelman, Gleeson, Jagot and Beech-Jones JJ) 13 October 2026
Catchwords: Administrative law – Judicial review – Prohibition on applying to participate in or participating in "assisted reproductive technology" – Corrective Services Act 2006 (Qld) – Where appellant prisoner in corrective services facility – Where appellant likely to experience material reduction in fertility prior to release – Where appellant applied to first respondent for approval […]
MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd v Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Inc [2026] HCA 35 (07 October 2026) (Gageler CJ; Gordon, Edelman, Jagot and Beech-Jones JJ) 6 October 2026
Catchwords: Administrative law – Judicial review – Where appellant sought development consent for project to extend and expand coal mine – Where Independent Planning Commission of New South Wales ("Commission") granted development consent – Where Scope 3 emissions constituted 98 per cent of project's total greenhouse gas emissions – Where no conditions to minimise Scope […]
The King v Bechaud [2026] HCA 36 (07 October 2026) (Gageler CJ; Gordon, Gleeson, Jagot and Beech-Jones JJ) 6 October 2026
Catchwords: Criminal practice – Jury trial – Separation of jury after retirement and before verdict given or jury discharged – Juries Act 2000 (Vic) – Where jurors took separation oath on first day of trial – Where trial judge twice permitted jury to separate after retirement and before verdict or discharge – Where jury not […]
Dale Haines by his litigation guardian Barbara Ramjan v Attorney General of NSW [2026] HCA 34 (09 September 2026) (Edelman, Jagot and Beech-Jones JJ) 9 September 2026
Catchwords: Mental health – Forensic patient – Extension of status as forensic patient – Where making of extension order subject to Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 (NSW), s 122(1) – Where s 122(1) requires satisfaction both that forensic patient poses unacceptable risk and that the risk cannot be adequately managed by […]
EGH19 v Minister for Immigration & Citizenship [2026] HCA 33 (09 September 2026) (Gordon, Steward and Gleeson JJ) 9 September 2026
Catchwords: Administrative law – Judicial review − Where plaintiff's Protection (Class XA) (Subclass 866) visa cancelled on character grounds ("Cancellation Decision") − Where plaintiff made representations to Minister seeking revocation of Cancellation Decision referring to material already held by Department − Where no real prospect of plaintiff being removed from Australia in reasonably foreseeable future […]
GXT25 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2026] HCA 32 (09 September 2026) (Gageler CJ; Steward and Jagot JJ) 9 September 2026
Catchwords: Administrative law – Judicial review – Where delegate refused application for Protection (Subclass 866) visa – Where plaintiff claimed protection on basis of fear of harm by reason of religion –Where plaintiff subsequently raised fear of harm by reason of sexual orientation – Where delegate found sexual orientation claim fabricated – Whether denial of […]
R Lawyers v Mr Daily [No 2] [2026] HCA 31 (09 September 2026) (Gageler CJ; Gordon, Edelman, Jagot and Beech-Jones JJ) 9 September 2026
Orders: Application dismissed with costs.
Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation v Orica Australia Pty Ltd [2026] HCA 30 (09 September 2026) (Gageler CJ; Gordon, Steward, Gleeson and Jagot JJ) 9 September 2026
Catchwords: Industrial law (Cth) – Coal industry – Statutory interpretation – Portable long service leave scheme – Where employers required to make payments in respect of "eligible employees" defined in s 4(1) of Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Administration Act 1992 (Cth) – Where respondent provided shotfiring services to black coal mines through employees […]
The King v Ko [2026] HCA 29 (12 August 2026) (Gageler CJ; Gordon, Edelman, Steward, Gleeson, Jagot and Beech-Jones JJ) 12 August 2026
Catchwords: Criminal practice – Trial – Adequacy of jury directions – Attempted importation of commercial quantity of border controlled drug – Fault element – Intent to import substance – Where respondent alleged to have facilitated customs clearance and delivery of consignment – Where consignment intercepted prior to departure – Where consignment contained border controlled drugs […]

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