Law The Podcast
Law The Podcast offers insights into Australia's most significant legal cases and justice debates. Hosted by former Supreme Court judge Lex Lasry AM and leading barrister Greg Barns SC, it explores crime, courts, politics, human rights, and legal stories shaping Australia and the world. Each episode unpacks cases from the past, issues of the present, and debates influencing the future of law and justice.
Episodes
Deborah Glass: Former Victorian Ombudsman Holding Power to Account
Former Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass OBE joins Lex and Greg to reflect on her landmark investigations, the growing politicisation of government and why Australia's prison system is failing. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: Deborah Glass OBE Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphrie
The US Midterms and the Future of American Justice
Professor Abbe Smith joins us from Washington, D.C. to discuss the state of the American justice system under Donald Trump, the independence of the judiciary and what's at stake in the upcoming US midterm elections. We also explore her decades of work as a criminal defence lawyer and the case for prison reform. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest
Jailing Is Failing: The Economics of Prison
Economist Saul Eslake joins Lex and Greg to examine the soaring cost of imprisonment in Australia, high rates of reoffending, and whether our tough-on-crime approach is delivering results or making the problem worse. You can learn more about Saul's work at www.sauleslake.info You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: Saul Eslake Editor: Mich
Sue Neill-Fraser, Prisoners' Rights and Victoria's Tough on Crime Politics
Lex and Greg discuss the politics of tough-on-crime policies, the meaning of “community expectations” in sentencing, and the evidence on whether prison reduces reoffending. They also discuss the Sue Neill-Fraser case, human rights in custody, and what Australia's criminal court statistics reveal about Australia's modern day justice system. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Ho
Michael Green. Lawyer, Podcaster and a Richmond Champion from the 60s and 70s
Four-time Richmond premiership player Michael Green joins the podcast to reflect on his remarkable journey from the football field to a distinguished career in law, and his life beyond the game. You can listen to William and Lonsdale - Lives in the Law wherever you get your podcasts. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: Michael Green Editor: 
John Silvester: Sly of the Underworld
John Silvester, better known as “Sly of the Underworld”, joins us to reflect on more than four decades covering Melbourne’s criminal underworld, its most notorious figures and the stories behind some of Australia’s biggest crimes. You can read Naked City here: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/naked-city-jbi Listen to Naked City wherever you listen to podcasts. You can watch
“The Cruelty is the Point”: The Failed Execution of Christa Pike
Australian barrister Richard Bourke joins us to discuss the case of Christa Pike, who survived a failed lethal injection in Tennessee, and what her case reveals about the realities of the death penalty in the United States. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Host: Lex Lasry AM Guest: Richard Bourke Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Ju
Singapore’s Death Penalty: No Signs of Stopping
Singapore is one of the few countries in the world that still enforces the death penalty for offences that do not involve intentional killing, including drug trafficking. Singaporean anti-death penalty activist Rocky Howe and criminal lawyer and Director of Eleos Justice Sara Kowal discuss Singapore’s approach to capital punishment and the people living under its death penalty laws. Ke
Bonus Episode: The Royal Commission Begins, Trump's Media Ban, Ben Roberts-Smith
On this bonus episode we discuss the beginning of the Victorian Big Build Royal Commission, Trump’s fight with the US media, the Ben Roberts-Smith case, tougher sentencing laws and the ongoing debate over Australia’s war on drugs. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music
Helen Garner's Fascination with Crime
Acclaimed Australian writer Helen Garner discusses her fascination with crime and how encounters with real-life cases have influenced her writing. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: Helen Garner Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphries - Phoenix Sound Studios Email the show at law
AI and the Future of Law School
RMIT Dean of Law Professor Diana Bowman joins Law the Podcast to discuss how artificial intelligence is being utilised in law schools and what it means for the future of legal education. Drawing on her extensive experience in the United States, Diana also reflects on how Donald Trump’s presidency has changed the US Supreme Court. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry A
Lionel Murphy and the Laws That Changed Australia
Jenny Hocking, award-winning biographer, historian and Emeritus Professor at Monash University, joins us to discuss her acclaimed biography of former Attorney-General and High Court Justice Lionel Murphy. We explore the remarkable life, career and controversies of one of Australia’s most consequential legal and political figures. You can purchase your copy of Lionel Murphy: A Political Biogr
Emergency Episode: Lindsay Clancy's Mistrial, Prison Overcrowding and Character References
Lex and Greg discuss the mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case, Australia's growing prison population and overcrowding, and the increasingly restricted role of character references in sentencing. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphries - Phoenix Sound
Robert Redlich on Law, Corruption and Politics
Today we're joined by The Hon. Robert Redlich AM KC, who is a former Supreme Court of Victoria judge, former Commissioner of Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), and current Chair of the Accountability Round Table. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: The Hon. Robert Redlich AM KC Editor: Michael Tankar
When Does Mental Illness Change Criminal Responsibility?
Tim Marsh joins us to explain how mental health is considered in the criminal courts, including what happens when someone argues they are not guilty by reason of mental impairment and how the law balances responsibility, treatment and public safety. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: Tim Marsh Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Brav
Emergency Episode: Sydney Swans, Antisemitism and US Sanctions on the ICC
Sydney Swans players suspended amid a sexual assault investigation A judge finds Sydney graffiti was wrongly labelled antisemitic The US sanctions the president and prosecutor of the International Criminal Court You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphries - P
Defending Americans On Death Row
Australian barrister Richard Bourke joins us to reveal what it is really like to defend inmates on death row and fight the death penalty in the United States. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Host: Lex Lasry AM Guest: Richard Bourke Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphries - Phoenix Sound Studios Email the show at lawthepo
Lex and Greg Riffing
The release of David McBride Prisoner rights The banning of character references You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphries - Phoenix Sound Studios Email the show at lawthepodcast@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information
Terrorism, Gangland Murders and Life with Rob Stary
Rob Stary discusses his career defending some of Australia’s most notorious terrorism suspects and gangland figures. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: Rob Stary Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphries - Phoenix Sound Studios Email the show at lawthepodcast@gmail.comSee omn
Emergency Episode: The Big Build, IBAC and Ralph Carr
An emergency episode of Law The Podcast examining Victoria's anti-corruption landscape, following the announcement of a Royal Commission into the Big Build, the release of IBAC's Operation Richmond report, and the end of the suppression order relating to Ralph Carr. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Editor: Matthew Tankard Produced by: Bravecast
Should Australian Judges Work in Death Penalty Courts?
Australian judges are serving on Singapore's Supreme Court, but should they be part of an institution that imposes the death penalty? You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphries - Phoenix Sound Studios Email the show at lawthepodcast@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com
The Battle for Julian Assange
Information Rights Project founder and brother of Julian Assange, Gabriel Shipton, joins us to discuss his work as a human rights advocate. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: Gabriel Shipton Editor: Michael Tankard Produced by: Bravecasting Media Original music by Justin Humphries - Phoenix Sound Studios Email the show at lawthepodcast@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/list
Child Protection in the Northern Territory
On this first episode of Law The Podcast, we talk to Abi Rajkumar about being a criminal lawyer in the Northern Territory and the challenges they face in dealing with government and chronic Indigenous deprivation. We also explore the criminal justice consequences that stem from these issues. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and Greg Barns SC Guest: Abi Rajkumar Editor: Michael Tankard Produced
Coming Soon: Law the Podcast
Law the Podcast launches Wednesday, July 29th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
