February 7, 2026
Legal Hypothetical: Boy sues Santa!
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: Boy sues Santa!

TIMMY wakes on Christmas morning, rubs his eyes and stumbles downstairs to the Christmas tree. He is overjoyed to find three presents, bearing a special stamp, stating that they are “Shipped from the North Pole”. “Thank you, Santa!” he exclaims. When Timmy’s brother and sister join him, they begin unboxing their Christmas gifts. His sister […]

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Legal Hypothetical: A Claus for concern
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: A Claus for concern

SANTA Claus, a citizen of Scandinavia, applied for a temporary partner visa to the North Pole after marrying Mrs Claus, a citizen of the North Pole and a local gift-wrapping virtuosa. Between them, they had five elfchildren under twelve. The youngest had just learned to waddle in curled shoes; the eldest could turn any mention […]

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OPINION: Policy u-turn re-ignites climate and energy wars
Opinion

OPINION: Policy u-turn re-ignites climate and energy wars

THE Coalition parties have announced a new climate and energy policy that, in the view of Climate Change Australia – Hastings, risks slowing Australia’s transition to clean energy and undermining efforts to secure a safer climate. The new policy would significantly reduce the roll-out of wind and solar, currently the cheapest and cleanest forms of […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, FOR five years, I have been minding a friend’s dog (Minty) while they go on holidays. This is usually no problem; the dog and I get on very well. This time, though, I was left with instructions that Minty (who is 15) now eats breakfast at 4.30am and dinner at 3.00pm every day, […]

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Legal Hypothetical: Painted into a corner
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: Painted into a corner

MARY is interested in purchasing a unit in a local housing development. The unit is yet to be constructed, so she proposes to purchase the unit “off the plan”. Mary negotiates a price with the real estate agent and a draft contract is soon sent to her conveyancer of choice. The contract states that Mary […]

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