The Magna Carta was signed 800 years ago today, when a bunch of rebel barons forced the king to give people more rights. It’s considered the founding document of western democracy, so you know it's kind of a big deal.
And our leaders say they are some of the Magna Carta's biggest fans!
Speaking in Question Time on Monday, prime minister Tony Abbott described the Magna Carta as "the greatest constitutional document of all time that has shaped our democracy, as it has shaped all democracies."
Opposition leader Bill Shorten said the document contains the "touchstones of our judicial system, protection from arbitrary or illegal imprisonment and the right to a speedy trial before a jury of one's peers."
Clause 39 of the Magna Carta sets out the basis of the rule of law in a democracy, ensuring the king is not above the law and protecting important rights of the individual.
1. Here's prime minister Tony Abbott commenting on those aforementioned "rights" and "laws" in his response to international criticism of the indefinite detention of asylum seekers without trial.
Section 42 of the Magna Carta gives citizens the right to leave and return home without fear.
2. Today, social services minister Scott Morrison said the changes to citizenship laws will stop suspected jihadists from returning to Australia.
3. Federal ministers also received a brief for citizenship law changes telling them to argue that requiring a terrorist conviction before revoking citizenship would make the law "toothless."
4. Here's what immigration minister Peter Dutton says about having the ministerial power to revoke Australian citizenship of people suspected of having involvement in terrorism, instead of the courts.
5. Section 40 of the Magna Carta says "to no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice."
If only King John cited "operational matters" when he affixed his seal to the Magna Carta all those years ago.
