International Law

Federal shield law done and dusted

If these amendments from the Australian Greens were to be adopted, the whole purpose of this bill would be massively expanded beyond its original conception, which is to protect journalists? sources in defined circumstances. It would not merely protect journalists, and it would not merely protect news media. It would be carte blanche for anyone who wanted to publish anything anywhere that might be considered news.

In conclusion, this bill is an excellent example of how all sides of politics can work together in this parliament towards a common goal. I again thank the member for Denison and also Senator Xenophon for introducing this bill and for their willingness to work with the government on this important issue.

• the debate about this has been on for years. There will be little interest or enthusiasm in reopening it now
•  the bill provides for a rebuttable presumption against disclosure of the identity of a journalist's source-non-disclosure is the starting point
• it applies in matters concerning Commonwealth laws or heard in federal courts
• it is what media interests sought
• the onus in seeking to force disclosure rests on the party who seeks disclosure to establish that other public interests justify disclosure
• the protection of national security should be grounds for a consideration of an override but  other public interests for example justice to an individual should not be excluded
• the problem at the centre of his concerns is a matter for NSW state law and nothing to do with this bill.
• all of us should be worried about the opaque operations of the NSW Crime Commission but this is nothing to do with the legislation passed in Canberra this week.

Full post as published by Open and Shut on March 23, 2011 (boomark / email).