The landmark High Court ruling that's left Anthony Albanese in a political pincher. By Brett Worthington, ABC News

This isn't a problem of Albanese's making but it is his government's to resolve. Handled poorly, it could have catastrophic consequences for the first-term government.

In just three minutes, the High Court on Wednesday dismantled a legal precedent of almost two decades.

The landmark ruling came quicker than almost anyone expected and while human rights campaigners were celebrating, the government was caught flat-footed and left scrambling to treat an almighty political headache.

To understand the moment, we need to go back.

The landmark High Court ruling that's left Anthony Albanese in a political pincher. By Brett Worthington, ABC News