Should Prisoners be Allowed to Vote?
Should being in prison prevent people from exercising their right to vote? Being locked up as a punishment restricts the liberty of an individual, and it also isolates that person from the community. By extension, this has historically excluded any...
Police Make Breakthroughs in Unsolved Cases
While many of us might think of television police dramas when we hear the words cold case, there are many unsolved cases in police jurisdictions across Australia, just waiting for breakthroughs. When it comes to unsolved cases, things like developments...
Is it Illegal to Smack your Child?
Supernanny Jo Frost may condemn it, but according to one survey done last year, 69% of Australian parents smack their children. Regardless of ‘best parenting’ techniques which may advocate against smacking, is it actually illegal to smack your child in...
Registered Sex Offender Caught By Virtual “Child”
Last month, a Brisbane man was convicted of a number of sexual offences after he was duped into performing a sex act in front of a computer-generated avatar of a 10-year-old girl. The fake child, known as Sweetie, was created...
How Prevalent is Police Misuse of Tasers in NSW?
The use of Tasers by police officers in NSW has been under scrutiny over recent years after a number of high profile cases where the weapons have been misused against members of the public. In 2012, the NSW Ombudsman published...
Two Horses Die after Melbourne Cup – Is Horse Racing a Form of Animal Cruelty?
It’s been dubbed “the race that stops the nation”, but some say the better title is “the race that stops the nation for all the wrong reasons”. Around Australia last Tuesday, millions took part in the spectacle that is Melbourne...
AC/DC Drummer charged over hiring a hitman to kill two people, charges then withdrawn
Renowned AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd made headlines for all the wrong reasons this week, after it was alleged that he hired a hitman to kill two people. He was charged with attempting to procure a murder, threatening to kill and...
Is the Police Decision to Charge Final?
It can be scary to be charged with a criminal offence by police, but just because you have been charged, it doesn’t mean you are going to be convicted or even that you will have to go to all the...
How to Find Out if Someone Has Been Convicted of a Crime
Being convicted of a crime can impact a person’s life in many different ways. They may be unable to work in certain occupations, especially involving children, or they could find it difficult to get a visa to travel or emigrate...
Sydney Man Charged with Police Pursuit: What is ‘Skye’s Law’?
Last weekend, a 33 year old Sydney man was charged with the offence of “police pursuit” following a lengthy chase that saw police following the man through the M2, M5 and M7 motorways. The man then continued over the Harbour...
