Who is a child’s legal parent? The question is at the heart of a case due before the High Court this year. It may have implications for children born via IVF or surrogacy, and the people who raise them.
In the final sitting week for the year, the encryption bill was finally passed, and the Liberal Party changed its rules to prevent sitting prime ministers being toppled.
The decision will have huge implications for Indigenous peoples who have lost their land rights and for state and territory governments that may be liable for compensation.
It is possible the home affairs minister is in breach of Section 44(v) of the Constitution – and if the High Court were to find him so, it would cause yet another headache for the government.
Today’s High Court decision on whether Labor Senator Katy Gallagher is eligible to hold her seat will have significant implications for the whole parliament.
That it has taken more than five months and a compulsory declaration procedure for some MPs’ dual citizenship issues to come to light reflects extremely badly on them.
The Turnbull government is trying to limit the damage from the citizenship crisis with a plan to have all MPs make declarations about their circumstances.
Labor has been on a unity ticket with the Coalition in opposing an audit, but as the crisis continues to unfold it has moved to a position that falls short of bringing in an outside auditor.
The sudden exit from parliament of Senate President Stephen Parry has turned into a toxic blame game, in a further sign of a government crumbling into chaos.