Michael Bachelard is The Age's investigations editor. A former Indonesia correspondent, political reporter and workplace relations writer, he was awarded a Jefferson Fellowship in journalism in 2005. He is the author of Behind The Exclusive Brethren.
Some of the biggest alleged free speech champions on the right of Australian politics have used the defamation law to protect their own reputations even though they are trying to remove the "insult and offend" protection in the Racial Discrimination Act.
Whatever the intention of these raids, the effect will be to intimidate and deter those who want to release information in the public interest. And that should concern us all.
Tony Abbott has hit the international speakers' circuit to urge Europe to stop loving its neighbours quite so much and instead to turn back refugee boats.
The furious government reaction to Zaky Mallah's appearance on Q&A; on Monday night was Tony Abbott's attempt to shut down debate in a crucial area of policy, according to journalist Peter Greste.
 The execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran was illegal under international law according to high-level advice provided to Julie Bishop.
Delay and confusion over promised funding to combat radicalisation of young people has led to frustration in the Muslim community.
"What should I do? What should I do?" For Sardar "Sammy" Hussein, barely more than a boy, the words he's whispering under his breath have become almost a mantra.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is off to the inauguration party of incoming Indonesian President Joko Widodo this Sunday but it appears that he – and other world leaders – have not actually been invited.
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