Blogs, straight from the horse's mouth

Brian AJ Newman, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Employment and Human Rights Advocate at 1800ADVOCATES, will proceed to a full hearing before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) on Monday, 27 April 2026, in relation to a human rights complaint grounded in allegations of unlawful discrimination, racial vilification, and sustained victimisation. MEDIA RELEASE: QCAT HEARING TO PROCEED — ADVOCATE REJECTS FALSE NARRATIVES AND SIGNALS FURTHER ACTION AGAINS

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: Allegatio

There is a very particular moment in disputes—whether in workplaces, tribunals, or public complaints—when the trajectory shifts. It is the point at which a party realises, often too late, that the facts are not aligning with their narrative, that evidence is not supporting their assertions, and that scrutiny is no longer avoidable. What follows is rarely dignified. Instead, what emerges is a predictable pattern: escalation without substance, noise without coherence, and state

People often ask why my BAJN logo is a dancing stallion—and why my motto is “Play Hard But Fair.” On the surface, it looks like branding. But it isn’t decoration. It’s biography. The dancing stallion A stallion is power, yes—but not power for show. A stallion represents movement, instinct, endurance, and will. It’s an animal that doesn’t survive by being timid. It survives by being alert, deliberate, and unafraid to run straight into weather if it must. But I chose a dancing

There are stories that start with a place on a map. And then there are stories that start with Country —the kind of beginning that doesn’t fit neatly into a postcode, a certificate, or a government record. In 2026 , I’m releasing PLAY HARD BUT FAIR — Book One: Born Into the Fight . This book is deeply personal, but it is also bigger than me. It’s a story about identity , displacement , survival , and the quiet ways Aboriginal families learned to navigate a world that often de

I want to begin by being clear about what I am — and am not — claiming in this piece. I am not a historian or academic . What follows is my understanding , shaped by reading, reflection, and my lived experience as an Aboriginal man. I am a descendant of Wiradjuri and Ngarigo peoples , with my more direct lineage being Anaiwan . I write from that standpoint alone, and I remain open to correction, dialogue, and respectful debate. What Batman’s Treaty Is Commonly Said to Be Batm

The incident occurred at the 94th Academy Awards (Oscars) on 27 March 2022 and involved Will Smith and Chris Rockduring the live broadcast. Was the Will Smith Slap-Down of Chris Rock Justified? Photo source: The New Yorker What happened Chris Rock, who was presenting an award, made an unscripted joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife. Rock joked that she looked like she could star in “G.I. Jane 2” due to her shaved head. Jada Pinkett Smith has alopecia, a medical co

I am often asked why I remain silent in the face of provocation, misrepresentation, or personal attack. The answer is simple: I am a Stoic. Stoicism is not weakness. It is discipline. It is the practice of controlling what is within one’s power—character, conduct, and integrity—while refusing to be consumed by noise, malice, or ignorance. I do not react impulsively, and I do not perform outrage for an audience. I document, I endure, and I act when action is justified. That ph

This was not a failure of ordinary Australians. It was not the fault of lawful firearms owners. And it will not be rewritten as such. I grew up in a time when you could buy ammunition from a corner store and firearms from sporting goods shops in Australia. That didn’t make our communities violent. It didn’t make Australians reckless. What it reflected was trust, responsibility, and a very different relationship between citizens and the state. As a nation, we are now virtually

You don’t win cases in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) or at human rights commissions because you swear the loudest. You win because your evidence  proves what you say probably happened . If your documents and witnesses don’t stack up, the case will tank—no matter how strongly you feel about your version of events. Facts beat vibes The FWC isn’t a court and it isn’t bound by the formal rules of evidence, but it still has to base findings on material with rational probative for

This article marks the beginning of a four-part series exploring The Laminar Principle, a structured approach to advocacy and evidence presentation. The series will progressively examine how facts, logic, and fairness interact across different layers of argumentation, leading from the raw presentation of evidence to its refined, persuasive expression before a tribunal or court. Understanding the Concept The Laminar Principle is founded on the idea that effective advocacy shou

When you meet Brian AJ Newman, LLB , you quickly realise that his life’s work is not simply a career — it’s a calling. A proud descendant...

Recent developments in the Noel Callow affair demand more than outrage — they demand accountability, reflection and an unflinching...

The Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876 is often remembered in American folklore as “Custer’s Last Stand.” In the dominant...

As part of my Master of International Law studies, I have been reflecting on how evidence law balances two competing concerns: the need...

As part of my Master of International Law studies, I’ve been exploring the ways in which courts handle challenges to witness credibility....

As a current Master of International Law student, I have been delving into the intricacies of evidence law and, in particular, the rules...