John David Phillips
Phillips' retirement speech generated debate in Victoria on judicial independence. In the Australian experience, government is separated into three branches, the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Each branch is independent of the others, and is recognised in the Australian Constitution at the federal level. Phillips on his retirement was critical of the intrusion of the executive into the work of the courts, being the judicial branch. For example, the Supreme Court was referred to as "Business Unit 19" by the Victorian Government. Phillips did not suggest that the Victorian Government would attempt to influence directly a decision of the court. However, there appeared to be "What is evolving ...a perception of the court as some sort of unit of functionary within the Department of Justice”.
Whistleblower protection in the United States
Public law is law that governs the relationship between people and the State, and it is composed of three types: constitutional law, criminal law, and administrative law. "Constitutional law" is the body of law that governs the principles and powers of the government, and the relationships between the different parts of the government. "Criminal law" is law that restricts conduct that threatens safety and welfare of society or the State. "Administrative law" is law that regulates the operation and procedures of government agencies. The judicial branch is the branch of government that interprets the laws, and its body of laws is called case law.