Legal Affairs

Informative commentary on legal issues and advances in Victorian, Federal and international law.

26 November 2017 – DNA, Law, Privacy
Who owns your DNA?
DNA can provide unique information, but who actually owns it? According to University of Melbourne legal experts the answer is far from simple.
24 November 2017 – Foreign Aid, NGO, Timor-Leste, Water, Water Management
Keeping the water running in Timor Leste
Water tanks benefit communities in Timor Leste, but a University of Melbourne expert argues NGOs need to consider what happens after they leave.
15 November 2017 – Discrimination, Gay Rights, Marriage, Religion, Same Sex Marriage
Q&A: What happens after the ‘yes’
Australia has voted 'yes' in the same sex marriage survey; a University of Melbourne expert looks at what happens next in politics, law and discrimination law.
2 November 2017 – Consumer Protection, Gambling, Horseracing, Melbourne, Regulations
We’re the world’s biggest losers, but odds are we’ll still punt this Cup Day
As Melbourne Cup approaches, a University of Melbourne expert argues more regulation is needed to prevent online bookies taking advantage of problem gamblers.
Podcast31 October 2017 – Climate Change, Government, History, International law, Treaties
Is the world suffering from treaty fatigue?
Judge James Crawford on the diminishing appetite of nation states to join new international agreements or remain in established ones.
25 October 2017 – Cloning, Ethics, Future, Human, Movie Review
Blade Runner 2049: Identity, humanity and discrimination
The Blade Runner films focus on the meaning of humanity; a University of Melbourne bioethicist finds they also foreshadow future ethical concerns over cloning.
19 October 2017 – Australia, Human rights, Indigenous, Refugees, United Nations
Australia’s place at the human rights table
Australia could play an important role on the UN's Human Rights Council; but a University of Melbourne expert says it needs to focus human rights at home first
18 October 2017 – Australia, Customer, Online Shopping, Shopping, Supermarket
Coming soon to an aisle near you
The arrival of AmazonFresh and Kaufland will change Australia's grocery sector; University of Melbourne experts discuss the impact on our two supermarket giants
3 October 2017 – Courts, Juries, Justice, Legal System, Trials
Trial by Ouija Board: When jurors misbehave
Jurors are often subject to considerable stress, argues a University of Melbourne expert, as a famous misconduct case involving a Ouija Board demonstrates.
24 September 2017 – Gay Rights, Law, Marriage, Religion, Same Sex Marriage
Same sex marriage, religious freedom and the law
As Australians vote in the same sex marriage survey debate has focused on religious freedom, a University of Melbourne expert explains exactly what the law says