The Australian government is under scrutiny following a high court ruling that declared a controversial housing policy unlawful and the introduction of new legal reforms aimed at addressing coercive control. Additionally, the Future Fund's spending practices have raised questions in the Senate, while a significant defamation case involving Bruce Lehrmann continues to unfold.

High Court Ruling on Housing Policy
The High Court of Australia has ruled against a public housing policy implemented in the Northern Territory that significantly increased rent for tenants in remote Indigenous communities. The Remote Rental Framework, introduced between December 2021 and February 2023, raised rents by up to 200% for two-thirds of Aboriginal tenants, affecting over 5,300 homes. The court found that the changes were introduced without proper notice to tenants, constituting a denial of procedural fairness.

Future Fund's Controversial Spending
In another development, Raphael Arndt, CEO of the Future Fund, faced questioning in the Senate regarding a $20,000 trip taken by his former executive assistant to scope hotels in the United States. The expenditure, which included business-class travel, has sparked debate about the appropriateness of such spending. Arndt also disclosed that he dined at Disney's exclusive Club 33, which he described as part of a cultural induction process for his team.

Defamation Case Against Bruce Lehrmann
In a landmark defamation case, Bruce Lehrmann has lost his appeal against a judgment that found he raped Brittany Higgins. The federal court ruled that Lehrmann was aware of Higgins' lack of consent during the encounter. This ruling builds on previous findings and adds further gravity to the case, which has garnered significant media attention and public interest.

Victorian Government's Policy Reversal
The Victorian government has announced plans to introduce a stand-alone coercive control offence by 2026, reversing its previous stance on the issue. This decision comes in response to pressure from the opposition, which has made the establishment of such an offence a key election commitment. The move reflects a growing recognition of the need for more robust legal protections against coercive control in domestic settings.

Wrap-up
These developments highlight ongoing challenges within Australian governance, particularly concerning housing policies affecting vulnerable communities and the legal system's response to issues of consent and domestic violence. The scrutiny faced by the Future Fund adds another layer to the conversation about accountability in public spending.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team