Megan Davis – författare

This book investigates core legal-political cultural myths of the Australian nation by canvassing, challenging and recasting some of the well-understood debates around, and invocations of, ‘the rule of law’ in Australia. It foregrounds one of the most enduring and prominent manifestations of these debates: claims to state sovereignty and rule of law in a system that has an incoherent legal foundation in its intentional ignorance of, and arbitrary violence perpetrated against, First Nations, their people, their sovereignty and their law. It examines the claims and celebrations of colonial rule of law achievements; constitutional rule of law protections; and the rule of law as tool to delineate and circumscribe the role of judges in the State. It presents a survey of the constitutional and legal principles and institutions and explores the socio-political aspects of rule of law in the country and how rule of law is experienced. With a focus on the legacy of the treatment of First Nations people, the book looks at how the Australia’s rule of law institutions and machinery continue to exclude and fail vulnerable, marginalised and publicly reviled groups. Exploring these arguments through historical and contemporary case studies, including native title negotiations, anti-terrorism regimes, the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the push for constitutional enshrinement of a First Nations Voice, and the Royal Commission into the government’s ‘Robodebt’ inquiry, this book shows the inescapable messiness of rule of law in Australia as a legal and political concept, instrumentalised and weaponised across its history.

The definitive, clear-cut guide to the vote on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution.This book explains everything Australians need to know about the proposal to recognise Indigenous peoples in the Constitution. With clarity and authority, it shows the symbolic and legal power of such a change and how we might get there. It explains what the 1967 referendum – in which over 90 per cent of Australians voted to delete discriminatory references to Aboriginal people from theConstitution – achieved, and why the Constitution still permits people to be discriminated against on the basis of their race. Concise and clear, and written by two of the country’s foremost legal experts, it is essential reading on what will be a landmark moment for the nation.

We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.On 26 May 2017, after a historic process of consultation, the Uluru Statement from the Heart was read out. This clear and urgent call for reform to the community from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples asked for the establishment of a First Nations Voice to Parliament protected in the constitution and a process of agreement-making and truth-telling. Voice. Treaty. Truth.What was the journey to this point? What do Australians need to know about the Uluru Statement from the Heart? And how can these reforms be achieved?Everything You Need to Know about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, written by Megan Davis and George Williams, two of Australia's best-known constitutional experts, is essential reading on how our Constitution was drafted, what the 1967 referendum achieved, and the lead-up and response to the Uluru Statement. Importantly, it explains how the Uluru Statement offers change that will benefit the whole nation.

This is the remarkable war story of six ordinary Australian soldiers: the Chipilly Six. On 9 August 1918, on high ground overlooking the Somme River, an entire British Army Corps is held up by German machine gunners. The battle has raged for 30 hours and more than 2000 Englishmen have fallen, for no gain. Meanwhile, two Australian sergeants, Jack Hayes and Harold Andrews, go absent without leave and cross the Somme ahead of the British lines. Gathering weapons and four of their best mates, Hayes and Andrews return to take on the Germans. The extraordinary feats of the Chipilly Six have been overlooked and the personal stories of these diggers never before celebrated. Yet this story doesn't end when the war does. Historian Lucas Jordan weaves a compelling tale of the lives of these soldiers, chronicling their return home and years after service, through a pandemic, the Great Depression, another world war and the very first Anzac Day dawn service.

Rosamund Lupton meets Lupin in this accomplished debut from an eclectic, cut-throat new voice in thriller writing.SHORTLISTED FOR THE CRIMEFEST SPECSAVERS AWARD FOR DEBUT CRIME NOVEL'A sleek, sinister debut' WOMAN'S OWN'A strong, twisting, literary journey of revelation and redemption. Five stars' JANICE HALLETT'An intelligent, gripping and stylish literary thriller - I couldn't put it down. Megan Davis is a major new talent' SOPHIE HANNAH'A sharply written, clever and classy thrill-ride through the streets of Paris' CHRIS WHITAKER A crime he didn't commit. A truth he must deliver.Wealthy and privileged, Alex has an easy path to success in the Parisian elite his father mingles with. But the two have never seen eye to eye. Desperate to escape the increasingly suffocating atmosphere of their apartment, Alex seeks freedom on the streets of Paris where his new-found friend Sami teaches him how to survive. But everything has a price - and one night of rebellion changes their lives forever.A simple plan to steal money takes a sinister turn when Alex's father is found dead. Despite protesting their innocence, both boys are imprisoned for murder. Seven years later Alex is released from prison with a single purpose: to discover who really killed his father. Yet as he searches for answers and atones for the sins of his past, Alex uncovers a disturbing truth with far-reaching consequences.Playing out against a backdrop of corruption, fake news and civil unrest, The Messenger exposes the gritty reality of a changing city through one son's journey to redemption and the truth. 'Megan Davis's electric, suspenseful and stunning evocation of contemporary Paris is unforgettable' ELIZABETH MACNEAL'A well-written, intriguing novel with an excellent sense of place' KAMILA SHAMSIE 'Compelling ... A deft blend of murder mystery, political intrigue and family secrets' DOMINIC NOLAN

Perfect for fans of Tana French, Chris Whitaker and Rosamund Lupton, this prize-winning debut comes from an eclectic, cut-throat new voice in thriller writing.'Intelligent, gripping and stylish' SOPHIE HANNAH'A sharply written, clever and classy thrill-ride through the streets of Paris' CHRIS WHITAKER A crime he didn't commit. A truth he must deliver.Seven years ago, one night of teenage rebellion changed the lives of Alex and Sami for ever.Alex's father was found dead and both boys were imprisoned for murder, despite protesting their innocence.Now, Alex has a single purpose following his release: discover who really killed his father.Yet as he searches for answers and atones for the sins of his past, Alex uncovers a disturbing truth with far-reaching consequences.'Megan Davis's electric, suspenseful and stunning evocation of contemporary Paris is unforgettable' ELIZABETH MACNEAL'A well-written, intriguing novel with an excellent sense of place' KAMILA SHAMSIE

Two female lawyers living the high life in the South of France explore the limits of their own corruption when they find themselves at the mercy of their dangerous clients who would prefer to kill them than be exposed.SUNDAY TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH - 'ENTHRALLING''Davis is very much a name to watch' FINANCIAL TIMES'Chic and gripping' IMRAN MAHMOODMoney wrote the rules on the Côte d'Azur and the real locals were those who understood this.Vanessa and Kate live a glamorous life in the South of France helping the rich stay richer by hiding their money. While they know it's wrong, that their clients are corrupt, they are professionals and good at their jobs. Plus, there is the money . . .When their boss draws them deeper into his web of corruption, the chic veneer of their existence falls away, along with their excuses, leaving both women dangerously exposed to the lures of greed, gambling and hazardous liaisons. Vanessa and Kate become desperate for an escape route, a way to beat the system without destroying themselves, but the only ones available make them worse than those they are seeking to evade. While one woman pulls away from corruption, the other is drawn in. But just how far will each of them go for money - their clients' and their own - before someone is killed?Amid the opulence of the Côte D'Azur, Bay of Thieves explores the distorting power of wealth and its ability to destroy beliefs held over a lifetime.'A timely and richly nuanced financial thriller' CHRIS PAVONE'A deeply human drama' ELIZABETH MACNEAL'Immersive, atmospheric' ROBERT RUTHERFORD Praise for Megan Davis:'A sharply written, clever and classy thrill-ride through the streets of Paris. Atmospheric and twisting' CHRIS WHITAKER 'An intelligent, gripping and stylish literary thriller - I couldn't put it down. Megan Davis is a major new talent' SOPHIE HANNAH 'A well-written, intriguing novel with an excellent sense of place' KAMILA SHAMSIE

Two female lawyers living the high life in the South of France explore the limits of their own corruption when they find themselves at the mercy of their dangerous clients who would prefer to kill them than be exposed.SUNDAY TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH - 'ENTHRALLING'FEATURED IN FINANCIAL TIMES BEST CRIME OF THE YEAR 2024'Davis is very much a name to watch' FINANCIAL TIMES'Chic and gripping' IMRAN MAHMOOD'A timely and richly nuanced financial thriller' CHRIS PAVONE'A deeply human drama' ELIZABETH MACNEAL'Immersive, atmospheric' ROBERT RUTHERFORDMoney wrote the rules on the Côte d'Azur and the real locals were those who understood this.Vanessa and Kate live a glamorous life in the South of France helping the rich stay richer by hiding their money. While they know it's wrong, that their clients are corrupt, they are professionals and good at their jobs. Plus, there is the money . . .When their boss draws them deeper into his web of corruption, the chic veneer of their existence falls away, along with their excuses, leaving both women dangerously exposed to the lures of greed, gambling and hazardous liaisons. Vanessa and Kate become desperate for an escape route, a way to beat the system without destroying themselves, but the only ones available make them worse than those they are seeking to evade. While one woman pulls away from corruption, the other is drawn in. But just how far will each of them go for money - their clients' and their own - before someone is killed?Amid the opulence of the Côte D'Azur, Bay of Thieves explores the distorting power of wealth and its ability to destroy beliefs held over a lifetime.Praise for Megan Davis:'A sharply written, clever and classy thrill-ride through the streets of Paris. Atmospheric and twisting' CHRIS WHITAKER'An intelligent, gripping and stylish literary thriller - I couldn't put it down. Megan Davis is a major new talent' SOPHIE HANNAH 'A well-written, intriguing novel with an excellent sense of place' KAMILA SHAMSIE

Two female lawyers living the high life in the South of France explore the limits of their own corruption when they find themselves at the mercy of their dangerous clients who would prefer to kill them than be exposed.**AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW**SUNDAY TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH - 'ENTHRALLING'FEATURED IN FINANCIAL TIMES BEST CRIME OF THE YEAR 2024'Chic and gripping' IMRAN MAHMOOD'A timely and richly nuanced financial thriller' CHRIS PAVONE'A deeply human drama' ELIZABETH MACNEAL'Immersive, atmospheric' ROBERT RUTHERFORDMoney wrote the rules on the Côte d'Azur and the real locals were those who understood this.Vanessa and Kate live a glamorous life in the South of France helping the rich stay richer by hiding their money. While they know it's wrong, that their clients are corrupt, they are professionals and good at their jobs. Plus, there is the money . . .When their boss draws them deeper into his web of corruption, the chic veneer of their existence falls away, along with their excuses, leaving both women dangerously exposed to the lures of greed, gambling and hazardous liaisons. Vanessa and Kate become desperate for an escape route, a way to beat the system without destroying themselves, but the only ones available make them worse than those they are seeking to evade. While one woman pulls away from corruption, the other is drawn in. But just how far will each of them go for money - their clients' and their own - before someone is killed?Amid the opulence of the Côte D'Azur, Bay of Thieves explores the distorting power of wealth and its ability to destroy beliefs held over a lifetime.Praise for Megan Davis:'A sharply written, clever and classy thrill-ride through the streets of Paris. Atmospheric and twisting' CHRIS WHITAKER'An intelligent, gripping and stylish literary thriller - I couldn't put it down. Megan Davis is a major new talent' SOPHIE HANNAH 'A well-written, intriguing novel with an excellent sense of place' KAMILA SHAMSIE

Australia, and Australians, stood at a crossroads in October 2023. Before them lay a new and more accommodating way to practice democracy, a future in which First Nations people were given a representative voice in political decisions in this country. After months of a referendum campaign, struggling over foundational ideals and questions of national identity, misinformation, disinformation and racism, the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected in every Australian state and nationally. The referendum campaign was Australia’s first since the failed attempt at a republic in 1999. The political and media environment in which the referendum campaign would unfold was fundamentally changed. These changes included the growth of social media, growing distrust of major political parties, and the rise of fake news and populist politics.This book brings together a diverse set of perspectives to explore the many and complex political, social and historical factors that influenced the conduct of the campaign and led to the loss. It includes contributions from lawyers, political scientists, historians, human rights experts, health policy experts, land rights campaigners and Indigenous affairs policy experts. The contributors in this book include First Nations and non-Indigenous authors, often writing collaboratively. The majority of the views offered, based in expertise and experience, are those of First Nations. Their writings place the referendum loss in the context of political failure and attempts at structural reform, and Australia’s terrible record at amending the Constitution through referendums. The book traces the legal and political development of the draft constitutional provision, and the influence of legal risk on the campaign. A major focus of the book is the impact of misinformation and disinformation, which was rife during the campaign, and media reporting of it. The role that civil society and corporate Australia played in the campaign is considered. The Voice campaign will be placed in the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander politics and previous attempts at representation. The book will also place the call for Voice in the context of its ongoing relevance and imperative in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, explaining the power of representation, the Voice as an expression of sovereignty, and the need for Voice to pursue other structural reforms such as treaty and to realise the promise of land rights. The book concludes by reflecting on the role that history played in the campaign and the implications of the campaign for the practice of Australian history.The book holds lessons for future constitutional change, Indigenous recognition, structural reform and Australia’s democracy. It also looks, with constructive pragmatism, at the future direction of First Nations structural reform in Australia and the practice of democracy.