James Cullen took legal action to avoid facing an inquiry examining the leaking of confidential material on the proposed sale of Rosehill racecourse * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The chief of staff to the New South Wales premier has argued a court should not be able to compel him to give evidence before a parliamentary inquiry because it could politicise the justice system. The court’s power to issue a warrant for someone’s arrest if they defied a state government summons could become “highly political” and “draw the court into an arena it should not be in”, the barrister acting for Chris Minns’ chief of staff, James Cullen, told the NSW court of appeal on Wednesday. Continue reading...

While those who defend the status quo and those who say ‘simply rejoin’ the EU are both wrong, there is a new mood and a clear opportunity, says Stella Creasy MP, chair of the Labour Movement for Euro...

A landmark advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice clarifies that states have a duty under international law to prevent climate harm – with serious implications for Australia’s fossil...

The defense secretary backed the decision to hit the vessel for a second time, but says he left the room when the order was given.