While the houses are under a moral and political obligation to obey the Constitution, this is difficult when the Constitution itself is unclear and its interpretation is disputed. Read More
As usual there were plenty of dust-ups between the Dorothy Dixers on the first day of the Senate's supplementary estimates hearings yesterday. Here's a run-down of some of the clashes, claims and counter-claims. Read More
Workplace health and safety was a big theme of the latest Senate inquiry into offshore detention. The committee criticised the complex administrative arrangements that have left Comcare out in the cold, and called for a WHS Act review to make it clear where the regulator stands. Read More
Immigration says difficult conditions led to contract and risk management failures outlined in yet another scathing audit. The department needs to rethink its risky and ineffective outsourcing model, argues public management expert Janine O'Flynn. Read More
Fine avoidance strategies in Australia's off-shore detentions aren't a unique problem for DIBP, instead fitting a pattern in privatised prisons. Without monitoring, incidents can create broader risks for government. Read More
The DIBP secretary raised eyebrows defending the Commonwealth's detention policy. But what if actually implementing it is a crime? A former prosecuting solicitor lays out a case for saying no to the minister. Read More
Comcare's CEO says she's appalled by the latest salvo from its vocal critics over safety in immigration detention centres, based on an FOI release. Soon a senate committee will make its own judgement. Read More
Michael Pezzullo, then Customs boss, and former diplomat turned commentator Tony Kevin were harsh critics of each other over SIEV tragedies and the Operation Sovereign Borders alternative. Then Tony Kevin saw deaths at sea had stopped. He argues turn-back was successful and the camps must go. Read More
Leadership in the new Department of Immigration and Border Protection — same name; new flavour — requires diverse experience rather than long service, its secretary says. Those who've given decades to the old Immigration and Customs are less useful. Read More
Immigration officials confirm the theft of highly sensitive data on Nauru is under investigation by the AFP, as well as the Moss inquiry into allegations that detainees were abused. Read More
