Augusto Zimmermann

The first federal states emerged via the coming together of a number of established polities that wished to preserve their separate identities and to some extent their autonomy.[1] Some features are common to most, if not all, federal systems: distribution of power between central and local governments; a written and rigid constitution; an independent and impartial umpire to decide on disputes between these levels of government; and representation of regional views within the central government.

The Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Family Law System was appointed by resolution of the Senate on 18 September 2019 and resolution of the House of Representatives on 19 September 2019. The terms of reference of the committee’s inquiry explicitly require the committee to consider the present operation of the family law system in Australia.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has joined Australia’s National Cabinet to contribute to the discussions about the Covid-19 response. Prime Minister Scott Morrison was delighted to invite his New Zealand counterpart to attend the meeting with all Australian states, territory premiers and chief ministers.

As Brazilians rightly celebrate the 56th anniversary of the military intervention that saved their country from a communist takeover, which would result in the inevitable loss of countless innocent lives, I think it is most appropriate to explain the context by which the army officers were called by the people to depose a highly unpopular, leftist political ruler. What follows is an account of the most important events surrounding that momentous event in the constitutional history of Brazil.

While the Australian Prime Minister appears to take some pleasure in exercising his newly-acquired dictatorial powers, the President of Brazil is presently engaged in a bold and courageous fight for democracy and the fundamental rights of his people.

On my impending visit to Brazil, on 23 May I will have the honour of speaking at the Uniandrade University (Campus Cidade Universitaria) on the topic of ‘Is Brazil a Federalist Country?’ My answer will be an emphatic NO. Brazil […]

PUBLIC STATEMENT BY DR AUGUSTO ZIMMERMANN TO THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SWAN TOWN PLANNING SCHEME – PROPOSED AMENDMENT N.176 TO CITY OF SWAN SCHEME NO.17 – PLACES OF WORSHIP This is a public statement by Dr Augusto Zimmermann […]

By Dr Augusto Zimmermann[1], Lorraine Finlay,[2] and Joshua Forrester[3] The protection of religious freedom has been a topic of considerable discussion and debate in Australia in recent years, particularly in the context of the campaign to legalise same-sex marriage.  The […]

As per letter attached, the Australian Government has implicitly refused to provide urgent assistance to Ms Asia Bibi, in her desperate request for asylum. I am appalled but not surprised. After all, I have learned over the years to expect […]