Blogs, straight from the horse's mouth

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...

The symbol many people today know in a negative light was never originally intended that way. Its true name is the swastika, an ancient...

A sovereign citizen, sometimes referred to as a “sovcit”, is a person who rejects the legitimacy of government, courts, and laws in their...

Retirement for a prison officer is not like it is for most professions. There is no grand farewell, no golden handshake that truly...

When people come to me, they’re often at breaking point. They’re tired, they’re traumatised, and they’ve been dismissed—by employers, by...

My Totemic Bloodlines: Embracing Spirit, Kin, and Ancestors

On or about 19 June 1312, Piers Gaveston, the favourite—and perhaps the most controversial companion—of King Edward II, was dragged from...