With around 15% of Global GNP given over to organized crime, it is clear that while crime is global, policing is still often local. This book looks at how a global approach to law enforcement can be achieved and highlights role that transnational moral entrepreneurs are playing in pushing new legislation through across international borders. Issues such as the treatment of animals, women's rights, racial equality and the treatment of minors are all given as examples of how we as global citizens are moving towards a point of convergence in law making albeit at differing rates. The books authors are... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 10:28 PM Comment

Tags: health, law, religion, sociology

Scientists are usually reluctant to state anything as fact preferring instead to prequalify everything with the term "theory" (relativity, big bang, string, quantum entanglement....). However, while some theories prove to validate, others often sit on the lab bench for centuries waiting for that missing link. The one commonality is that they remain theories which means that they can and often are proved wrong. So why is it that climate change is a done deal? Should we really believe that pretty much every scientist worth their weight in petri dishes agrees that climate change is fact? Professor Ian Plimer thinks not.... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 9:56 PM Comment

Tags: business, environment, law, science

These are from a book called Disorder in the American courts, and are thing people actually said in court, word for word , taken down and now published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place. ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active? WITNESS: No, I just lie there. __________________________________________________________ ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact? WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks. __________________________________________________________ ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?! WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory? WITNESS: I... Full article »

Tags: entertainment, law

Rating:

• Currently 5

There is controversy again over some people seeking to arrive in Australia. People have been on the move since Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden - and so this is a continuing issue with a very long history! It is necessary to make a distinction: "migration" (whereby Australia currently accepts about 170,000 people per year) and "refugees" (whereby Australia accepts about 13,500 people per year). Migration" is based on each country's own requirements. In Australia's case, the two main categories of migrants are those arriving to do particular jobs where there are shortages of labour (such... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 9:32 AM Comment

Tags: Australasia, law, sociology

"There are no votes in prison reform". This is a common phrase among professional politicians, who prefer to follow public opinion rather than give some guidance to the public. It is therefore necessary for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to set the pace for reforming the "universities of crime" that prisons often become. Convicts don't come out better behaved - only better educated on how to commit the crimes next time round. Last Saturday, September 5 2009, there was a very interesting public seminar organized jointly by the Community Justice Coalition and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). About a hundred people the... Full article »

Tags: law

In June Keith interviewed Dr Ian Pollard For the Australian Institute of Company Directors about his new book "Investing In Life". The interview is available to listed to via podcast by clicking here. Dr Pollard tells Keith that he was inspired to write this book after seeing a gap in the market for books that look at the business case for investing in ones self. He cites that there are many books out there teaching us how to develop our Emotional Intelligence, or negotiation skills and our networking ability but nothing that gives a holistic perspective on the returns that... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 2:29 PM Comment

Tags: business, economics, law, media, reviews

The International Commission of Jurists Australia and the Community Justice Coalition are hosting a seminar on 5 September 2009. The seminar "Our Prisons - Human Rights, Mental Health & Privatisation" will take place in the elegant surroundings of the State Library of NSW. This is the first of a series of seminars on the custodial system for adults and juveniles. The Hon John Roberston MLC, Minister for Corrective Services will open the seminar with Mr Victor Dominello MP who is speaking on behalf of Shadow Attorney General Greg Smith SC MP. Featured speakers also include Dr Eileen Baldry, Associate Dean... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 12:25 AM Comment

Tags: health, law, sociology

There are occasional scares in the Australian media about the number of asylum seekers coming here by boat. I have just been reading an excellent publication which helps set this issue in a wider context. Dr Khalid Koser, Director of the New Threats and Human Security Programme at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, has written The Global Financial Crisis and International Migration: Policy Implications for Australia. It is available free of charge from the Lowy Institute for International Policy website:  (The Lowy Institute, based at Sydney, is an independent international policy think tank). Dr Koser spoke to his report... Full article »

Tags: Australasia, economics, law, sociology

Rating:

• Currently 5

This years Reith lectures are given by Harvard Professor and political philosopher Michael Sandel. Sandel's lectures, under the banner of "A New Citizenship" look at the moral issues facing today's global citizen. Sandel discussed the limits of morality in a free market economy, the role of morality and religion in political life, corporate, social responsibility and Aristotles theory of Justice! These thought provoking lectures are available as both transcripts and podcasts from the BBC website. Michael has authored several booking including his "Public Philosophy" which examined the morality behind American politics and his latest book "The Case Against Perfection" looking... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 3:28 PM Comment

Tags: law, religion, science

                    You've got to feel sorry for Eric Roozendaal. He's such a well-meaning chap but last year his mini-budget went down like John Howard at a union meeting and now his full budget has been received like a steak sandwich served to Kevin in flight. It's a pity Wayne didn't give him a few tips and it was just unfortunate that Bernie Madoff wasn't at liberty to help out. First it was Obama with the 'audacity of hope', only to be outshone by Eric's 'beacon of hope'; although perhaps Eric should... Full article »

Tags: Australasia, economics, entertainment, law

Barack Obama's Cairo speech this month has been one of the important of his speeches this year. He has tried to set a new tone for US relations with the Islamic world. Of course from a cynical point of view, one could question why any speech on Islamic democracy should be made in Egypt - which is far from being a democracy. The problem is that there is no country in the Arab world which is a democracy! At least it could be argued that Egypt is the most populous Arab country. Egypt is also interesting because it is undergoing... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 5:49 PM 1 comment

Tags: Africa, America, law, Middle East, peace

The opposition forces are continuing their campaign. They feel robbed of a fair election. Iran is now gripped with the biggest internal crisis since the 1979 Revolution, which saw the overthrow of the Shah and the installation of the new type of government Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was first elected president in 2005 and last Friday stood for re-election. The ruling religious elite knew this would be a close election but they expected their candidate to get back in. By late Friday it was clear that he was in great trouble - polling booths were having to stay open late to cater... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 2:46 PM Comment

Tags: law, Middle East

The face of conflict is changing. If you would like to know more, come along to the Macquarie University Library on Thursday 28th May at 6pm and hear Dr Suter, author of "All About Terrorism" talk at this free lecture which is open to the general public - no booking required! Download the flyer here : understanding terrorism talk may 09.pdf... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 11:05 PM Comment

Tags: Australasia, Keith Suter, law, security

                    Wall St responded immediately to Wayne's 2009 budget by asking 'who?' and 'where?' Australia responded by hoping it was his swan song. This budget was framed to fight the biggest depression in Australia since Howard and Costello. There was an encouraging first step in the 2050 plan to get the ageing population cost burden under control. Ultimately pensions will rise to one hundred thousand a year but you'll only qualify for one if you live to be a hundred and three. The introduction of paid parental leave in 2011... Full article »

Tags: Australasia, economics, entertainment, law

On February 16th 2009 the Eminent Jurists Panel released their report 'Assessing damage, Urging Action' to enable governments "to re-examine laws and ensure that the high standards of Australia's rule of law has not been unnecessarily trampled by the political imperative to be seen to be doing something" according to John Dowd AO QC, President of the International Commission of Jurists Australia. Work to compile the report commenced in the wake of the 9/11 attack on the US to restore, as much as possible, human rights standards set aside by such laws. The Eminent Jurists Panel is comprised of some of the... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 2:41 PM Comment

Tags: Australasia, law, religion, security, sociology

Download The Report Here: assessing damage urging action.pdf    Background and Executive Summary of the Report: This investigative report assesses the damage caused by terrorism and counterterrorism measures and urges immediate action. The panel underscores the compelling need to bring counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices into line with human rights law. Without decisive remedial action now the damage done to the human rights framework risks becoming permanent. The Eminent Jurists Panel is an independent eight-member panel of international jurists, convened by the Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) to conduct a global inquiry into the compatibility of counterterrorism laws and... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 1:26 PM Comment

Tags: law, security, sociology

Lawyers Beyond Borders is an exciting new initiative developed by Australian Volunteers International allowing lawyers to use their skills where they're most needed. Full article »

Tags: charity, law

The Columbine massacre took place 10 years ago. It was the worst school shooting in US history. It was not the worst shooting in an educational institution as such because a total of 33 people (including the gunman) were killed at Virginia Tech (a higher education institution facility) in April 2007. Full article »

Tags: America, conflict, law

Rating:

• Currently 3.7

On April 21 2009 I was the Celebrant for the funeral service at Newtown and Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland for Joan Carey, a peace activist I had known for over three decades. Here are my opening remarks for the funeral service: Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 7:05 PM Comment

Tags: conflict, law, peace, science, security

A satirical look at the weekly events. This week, Questions without notice, the questions that need asking! Full article »

Tags: Australasia, entertainment, law