Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Did High Court loss trigger Monis siege?

By Max Wallace - posted Friday, 12 June 2015


On 18 May they replied. They argued in part that under section 25(3) of theLegal Aid Commission Act 1979 they are not required to ‘divulge to any person or court any information or document ... relating to the administration of legal aid.’

Similarly, on 27 February 2015 the state-federal inquiry on Monis requested by the Prime Minister two days after the siege, was released. It came to a cul-de-sac concerning legal aid. It concluded ‘Appeals to the High Court are only made once advice is provided from Senior Counsel.’

What was that advice?  What were the justifications for the case vis-à-vis the many other pressing criminal matters Legal Aid NSW were funding?  Why was a blank taxpayers’ cheque written so that the free speech case of a public supporter of Islamic terrorism could be argued in the High Court? Where was the public interest in that? How much did it cost?

Advertisement

It is instructive that the Leader of the Opposition in NSW, John Robertson, recovering some integrity,resigned on 23 December 2014, eight days after Monis’ siege, after he conceded he had written a letter on Monis’ behalf concerning a family law matter.

But the reasons for the apparently myopic, foolhardy funding of the dangerous Monis in 2011 remain behind a wall of legalese and silence.

Some explanation as to why the man who caused this catastrophe was fêted by the legal system to go to the High Court should be sought by the Coroner’s inquiry.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

9 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Max Wallace is vice-president of the Rationalists Assn of NSW and a council member of the New Zealand Assn of Rationalists and Humanists.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Max Wallace

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 9 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy