Ian Cunliffe

Lawyer, formerly senior federal public servant (CEO Constitutional Commission, CEO Law Reform Commission, Department of PM&C, Protective Security Review and first Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security; High Court Associate (1971) ; partner of major law firms. Awarded Premier’s Award (2018) and Law Institute of Victoria’s President’s Award for pro bono work (2005).

Ian's recent articles

Judicial independence: the Nazi or the Australian way?

In an age when the Parliament nearly always does the bidding of the elected government and in a country which, uniquely amongst democratic nations, has no Bill of Rights, the courts are vitally important as a protection against arbitrary power.

How big government and big companies erect communications barriers

We cant communicate with the entity except on terms dictated to us, and those terms are often weighted against us. This trend is so universal it must be deliberate. It surely increases disillusionment and even anger.

The life and times of Robodebt and its victims

On 4 August, my articledescribed the surprising criminal law traps which lie in wait for anyone who is robust towards Centrelink in their defence of Robodebt victims.

True crime confessions being rude to Centrelink

Last year, a Senate inquiry into RoboDebt was told that more than 2000 peoplediedafter receiving their initialRoboDebtletter, many apparently by suicide. I act for numerous RoboDebt clients.

1975 and all that

45 years have passed since the most controversial crisis in Australian political history the dismissal of the Whitlam Government by the Governor-General on 11 November 1975. But it was not the first dismissal of an elected government by a vice-regal figure in Australia.

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