By Brian AJ Newman Having examined the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry Report (2020), the Afghanistan Inquiry Reform Plan (30 July 2021), and the Afghanistan Inquiry Reform Program Closure Report (2023–24) as part of my Master of International Laws, I approach this issue through structure and process—not assumption or speculation. To properly understand what is happening now, it helps to follow the sequence of events clearly: Allegations

By BAJN.au Australia’s Workforce Has Changed Forever Not long ago, work in Australia followed a familiar pattern. People were employees, independent contractors, or business owners. Today, that distinction has become increasingly blurred. Hundreds of thousands of Australians now earn their income through digital labour platforms such as Uber, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Menulog, Amazon Flex, Airtasker and other app-based services. These workers—commonly known as gig workers—have bec

By Brian AJ NewmanEmployment & Human Rights Advocate Every now and then, amid the legislation, submissions, hearings and deadlines, something arrives that reminds me exactly why I chose this path. It isn't a judgment in my favour. It isn't a settlement agreement. It isn't recognition from a tribunal. It's a simple message from a client. Recently, after completing detailed submissions for an upcoming employment matter, I received the following email. The client has kindly perm

By Brian AJ NewmanEmployment & Human Rights Advocate A Piece of History—And a Piece of My Own Every now and then, I come across something tucked away that reminds me not only of Australia's political history, but of my own journey. This is one of those items. It is an Open Letter to Australians, dated 31 August 1998, signed by four former Prime Ministers—Malcolm Fraser, Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating. It was published during one of the most politically charged peri

By Brian AJ Newman LLB Principal Employment & Human Rights Advocate Workplace bullying is more than just "part of the job" Every year, thousands of Australian workers experience behaviour that leaves them anxious about going to work. Some are humiliated in front of colleagues. Others are isolated, undermined, subjected to malicious rumours or targeted by repeated intimidation. Many employees assume that once workplace bullying occurs, the Fair Work Commission can order compen

Whether your matter involves unfair dismissal, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, victimisation, general protections, workers' compensation or a human rights complaint, your credibility may become your most valuable asset—or your greatest liability. The Truth Doesn't End When the Hearing Does Many people mistakenly believe that once a tribunal or commission hearing concludes, their evidence disappears with it. It does not. In reality, every answer given un