April 16, 2024

UOW expert commentary (16 April)

UOW academics provide expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing and breaking news stories

Bruce Lehrmann defamation judgement

Dr Sarah Ailwood can discuss the outcome of the Bruce Lehrmann defamation claim. Dr Ailwood says Australian defamation law should be reformed to create a more level playing field for women, journalists and media publishers speaking out about violence against women. Dr Ailwood says Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation claim against Channel Ten and Lisa Wilkinson exposes the legal obstacles to women, journalists and media publishers sharing real-life experiences of violence against women. Dr Ailwood is from the School of Law.

US inflation

Dr Paul Mazzola is a banking expert who can talk about inflation in the US and whether Australia will follow suit. Dr Mazzola is a lecturer in banking and finance in the School of Business. He has more than 25 years’ banking and finance experience in the Australian, European and Asian Pacific markets. He is the author of Countdown to the Global Financial Crisis: A Story of Power and Greed. 

Dr Mazzola is only available to interview from Wednesday 17 April 2024

NSW vaping inquiry

Dr Jody Moller and Dr Celine Kelso can discuss the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into vaping. Dr Moller and Dr Kelso spoke at the inquiry last week and say they’re concerned that proposed regulatory changes could fuel the growth of the vaping black market. Dr Moller and Dr Kelso are chemical toxicologists in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience.

Israel and Iran conflict

Associate Professor Markus Wagner can provide commentary on Iran’s recent attacks on Israel. Associate Professor Wagner is an expert in international law and former clerk at the Supreme Court of Israel for then-President Aharon Barak. He is the Director of the Transnational Law and Policy Centre at UOW. His research and teaching is in the areas of international and comparative law. While working at the Supreme Court, Professor Wagner witnessed first-hand the complexities of the situation in the Middle East and dealt with similar questions to those the current outbreak of violence raises. 

UOW academics exercise academic freedom by providing expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing social issues and current affairs. This expert commentary reflects the views of those individual academics and does not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the University of Wollongong.