NewsBite

Our Journalists

Greg BarnsContributor

Hobart barrister Greg Barns is a human rights lawyer who has advised state and federal Liberal governments.

Latest

Homeless Young Man Sleeping

State government starting to show signs of complacency, arrogance

Now is the time for the opposition Labor Party to move from being a small target, which is the depressingly familiar route alternative governments pursue, and map out a reformist vision for Tasmania.

0

Skylands display

No real need to be space invaders

Tasmania has a critical shortage of housing, but caution is needed in addressing that issue. The last thing this state needs is more broadacre estates with no access to public transport and poor services.

0

Minister for science and technology Madeleine Ogilvie at Fulcrum Robotics in Huntingfield. Picture: Linda Higginson

Hard to give a vote of confidence

POLITICS in the modern era is a cynical business. If it comes to a choice between expediency and obfuscation on the one hand and transparency and fairness on the other, the former wins out.

0

Houses in Glebe. Sold On Tas real estate feature Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Calls grow for empty-homes levy to free up rentals

The right to stable accommodation is a fundamental one, and the number of people in this state couch-surfing, living in their cars or in tents is intolerably high, writes Greg Barns.

0

Police keep a watchful eye on the Bandidos' motorcycle gang as they arrive in Burnie in Tasmania's north west. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Intrusive bikie gang law bid

GREG BARNS warns that a law-and-order obsession is eroding our democratic rights

0

Anti-Islam protesters with Australian flags hold a rally and barbecue in Melton, west of Melbourne, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016. Protesters are objecting to Melton's growing Muslim population. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) NO ARCHIVING

How terrorism hysteria turns police reports into propaganda

GREG BARNS: the media falls short in its coverage of terrorism-related stories in Australia.

0

Testing festival drugs can stop deaths

Testing festival drugs can stop deaths

GREG BARNS: The Police Minister is failing in his duty to protect Tasmanians from harm.

0

Shorten Election 2016- Labor candidate Cathy O'Toole and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in Townsville visiting Heatley State Primary School on Day 2 of the Election Campaign . Picture kym Smith

Campaign spin thwarting democracy

GREG BARNS is sick of political parties calling the tune for cardboard-cutout candidates.

0

Businessman Analyzing Document, Audit, Magnifying Glass, Document, Corporate Theft, Examining, Contract, Exploration, Paper, Looking, Detective, Paperwork, Business, Advice, Businessman, One Person, People, Financial Advisor, Expertise, Finance, Glass - Material, Agreement, Currency, Office, Research, Corporate Business, Form, Men, Adult, Adults Only, Beautiful People, Brown Hair, Chair, Close-Up, Concepts, Concepts & Topics, Desk, Handsome, Holding, Horizontal, Human Body Part, Human Finger, Human Hair, Human Hand, Indoors, Letter, Letter, List, Males, Occupation, Office Chair, One Man Only, Only Men, Photography, Place of Work, Reflection, Sitting, Zoom, thinkstock, generic, istock

Unsolicited proposals lack scrutiny

Greg Barns warns about the potential for undue political influence on decision-makers.

0

Anna Yip, 31, from Surry Hills, uses website airbnb to earn extra income at her Surry Hills apartment. Anna

Get out of the way of bold new market

Greg Barns gets excited by the potential of the brilliantly disruptive Airbnb movement.

0

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/journalists/greg-barns