Crispin Hull

Crispin Hull has written for The Canberra Times for 30 years on a huge range of topics, but mainly legal and constitutional. He was Editor for seven years. He taught journalism at the University of Canberra, and is the author of ‘The High Court of Australia 1903-2003’ and ‘Canberra - Australia’s National Capital’. He is also a marine rescue skipper on the Great Barrier Reef with Marine Rescue Queensland.

Crispin's recent articles

Fuel crisis exposes decades of policy failure

Fuel crisis exposes decades of policy failure

Australia’s fuel crisis may have been triggered by global conflict – but it reflects decades of political failure to reduce oil dependence and plan for transition.

The Budget needs real tax reform, not tinkering

The Budget needs real tax reform, not tinkering

Australia’s tax system increasingly favours capital and older wealth while leaving younger Australians with rising debts and shrinking opportunities.

Another poor US intelligence call?

Another poor US intelligence call?

As the US strikes Iran while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drags on, questions grow about selective enforcement of international law and a long record of flawed intelligence assessments.

How John Howard reshaped Australia – and not for the better

How John Howard reshaped Australia – and not for the better

Many of Australia’s most pressing social and economic problems can be traced to policy choices made during the Howard years, from housing and inequality to wages, tax and public services.

The Coalition decision that locks the Liberals out of the cities

The Coalition decision that locks the Liberals out of the cities

By returning to Coalition with a declining National Party, the Liberals have doubled down on policies and demographics that alienate urban voters and younger Australians.

AUKUS from where we are – and why that’s the problem

AUKUS from where we are – and why that’s the problem

Australia’s AUKUS submarine program is tied to struggling US and UK shipbuilding systems, escalating costs and political whim, raising questions about whether the right defence choices were ever properly debated.

Beginning of the end for the Nationals

Beginning of the end for the Nationals

The Nationals are likely doomed if they don’t go back into a coalition. And they are likely doomed if they do.

We've had 26 royal commissions. Their failures should caution us against a repeat

We've had 26 royal commissions. Their failures should caution us against a repeat

Calls for a royal commission after the Bondi shootings reflect public anger and distrust, but decades of experience suggest such inquiries rarely deliver lasting reform or accountability.