NewsBite

Virginia Bell

November 2022

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Morrison to defend himself against censure

Scott Morrison intends to speak in defence of his five secret ministries during Wednesday’s censure motion, and has thanked his colleagues for their support in refusing to join Labor in condemning him.

  • Phillip Coorey
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announce plans to censure Scott Morrison.

Morrison to be censured, but Coalition won’t join in

Former prime minister Scott Morrison will be censured by parliament this week, but his Coalition colleagues believe the move is gratuitous.

  • Phillip Coorey

September 2022

Former prime minister Scott Morrison explains to the media why he thought it was necessary to take on the extra portfolios.

Morrison probe seeks public submissions

An inquiry into former prime minister Scott Morrison’s secret self-appointments to several ministries is taking submissions.

  • Tess Ikonomou

August 2022

Virginia Bell and Scott Morrison

Judge to examine Morrison secret ministries, including role of GG

Scott Morrison could be dragged before an inquiry with the same powers as a Royal Commission if he declines to cooperate with an independent probe.

  • Phillip Coorey

April 2021

Eminently sensible: Sarah Derrington wants to overhaul judicial bias decisions processes.

Should judges decide if they are biased?

A curiosity of the legal system is that the person being accused of bias gets to make a ruling about whether they are or not. Moves for change are afoot.

  • Michael Pelly
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Jacqueline Gleeson.

Sister act for Gleeson’s High Court portrait

The family touch for High Court portrait, an agreeable welcome for new judges and peace at the Victoria Bar. It’s all Hearsay.

  • Michael Pelly

March 2021

Reputation for collegiality: Justice Jacqueline Gleeson at her swearing in ceremony

Will Jacqueline Gleeson join the High Court’s dominant group?

The High Court’s new judges will determine the direction of the court for the next decade.

  • Michael Pelly

February 2021

Justice Virginia Bell.

Bell’s exit makes High Court history

For the first time since the High Court was formed in 1903, none of its judges will have come directly from a state court.

  • Michael Pelly
The Westpac case will now move to the penalty phase.

Fine looms for Westpac after High Court financial advice rebuff

The bank can expect another fine after the court found it breached financial advice laws in a super rollover campaign.

  • Updated
  • Michael Pelly and Aleks Vickovich

October 2020

Simon Steward and Jacqueline Gleeson will join the nation's top court.

There is a fairer and open way to appoint the best High Court judges

A UK-style independent judicial appointment commission would avoid the political circus around the US Supreme Court while creating a transparent, competitive and merit-based process.

  • Kim Rubenstein

August 2020

 High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel

No gender bias against women judges in Australia, says US expert

Advocates are apt to interrupt High Court judges, no matter what the gender, according to a paper that disputes earlier findings.

  • Michael Pelly and Hannah Wootton

High stakes in race to High Court bench

The Morrison government will be hoping it can reshape the High Court with its next two appointments. The Australian Financial Review reveals five leading candidates and two wild cards.

  • Michael Pelly

July 2020

Attorney-General Christian Porter

Porter kicks off search for next High Court judge

The Attorney-General casts a net for the next High Court judge, lawyers behaving badly and a QC's plea to the PM. It's all Hearsay.

  • Michael Pelly

February 2020

Nettle

More 'political' judges is the last thing we need

A call for a less "activist" judge is a call for a person with a certain political approach, says a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills.

  • Graeme Johnson
Hon Justice Susan Kiefel AC, Australia's first female High Court chief justice.

High Court unity fades as judges agree to differ

Australia's top court is becoming less predictable as alliances shift, and its youngest member asserts himself as its leading contrarian.

  • Michael Pelly
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December 2019

scales

High Court torpedoes class actions

While business groups welcomed the decision, class action lawyers warned it would lead to more multiple claims, drive costs up, diminish competition and remove vital consumer protections.

  • Michael Pelly

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/person/virginia-bell-5pm