Howard fails to produce legal advice to establish legality of war
'Yesterday, at the beginning of a week when John Howard admitted Australia could invade Iraq without UN approval, he said this: "It's very important as we start the week off that people understand that there is adequate legal authority under existing Security Council resolutions for action to be taken without the need for a further resolution." Today, he refused point blank to release the legal advice he said proved his claim....

'Sydney's top barrister, Bret Walker SC, challenged the government to release contrary advice, if it had any. His challenge went unanswered... Here's what the government normally does in relation to legal advice on politically contentious matters. If the advice suits its argument it releases it, either in full or by showing reporters parts of the text. If the advice does not suit its case, it refuses to do so.'

Its a predictable move by Howard following the failure of the second resolution to pass to claim legitimacy based on resolution 1441 and other resolutions. Lets hope Labor doesnt take too long to clarify its position on whether it thinks aggressive, unprovoked war is legal or not.

Howard fails to produce legal advice to establish legality of war
'Yesterday, at the beginning of a week when John Howard admitted Australia could invade Iraq without UN approval, he said this: "It's very important as we start the week off that people understand that there is adequate legal authority under existing Security Council resolutions for action to be taken without the need for a further resolution." Today, he refused point blank to release the legal advice he said proved his claim....

'Sydney's top barrister, Bret Walker SC, challenged the government to release contrary advice, if it had any. His challenge went unanswered... Here's what the government normally does in relation to legal advice on politically contentious matters. If the advice suits its argument it releases it, either in full or by showing reporters parts of the text. If the advice does not suit its case, it refuses to do so.'

Its a predictable move by Howard following the failure of the second resolution to pass to claim legitimacy based on resolution 1441 and other resolutions. Lets hope Labor doesnt take too long to clarify its position on whether it thinks aggressive, unprovoked war is legal or not.