Justice Reinvestment Helps Reduce Crime in Bourke
Focusing on community-based crime prevention initiatives through the ‘justice reinvestment’ program has seen crime rates plummet over the past five years in the far western New South Wales town of Bourke. The success further bolsters the argument that investing in...
Free Public Transport for the Homeless in Victoria
Victoria has commenced an initiative which gives free public transport to the homeless and other financially disadvantaged people in the state. The year-long trial is offering weekly and monthly passes to the indigent, with a view to making it easier...
New Zealand Customs Can Now Require Your Passwords
New Zealand is reported to have become the first country in the world to pass laws requiring travellers to reveal their personal passwords to electronic devices such as phones and computers at the border, and Australia is likely follow in...
Is Hazing a Criminal Offence?
As stories continue to emerge of dangerous and sadistic initiation rituals on University campuses, it’s interesting to explore where ‘hazing’ stands in terms of the law in New South Wales. Earlier this year, the Red Zone Report into Australian universities...
Defamation Laws Restrict Public Accusations of Sexual Misconduct
A recent report by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) suggested that workplace sexual harassment is on the rise across the nation. But while the global #metoo movement has encouraged complainants to come forward and report sexual misconduct, journalist Ronan...
What is the Law on Defamation in NSW?
Defamation is normally thought of as an act which can attract civil liability. Indeed, a whole piece of legislation is dedicated to the rules relating to the tort of defamation in New South Wales, and there is a wealth of...
How Do Red Light Cameras Work?
A new red light speed camera began operating at the intersection of East Street and Moss Street in Nowra on 17 September. The intersection now joins one of 170-odd others across NSW that are fitted out with these devices. Red...
Can an Employee be Terminated for Criminal Conduct Outside Work?
A recent decision by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has sought to explain whether and, if so, when an employee can be terminated for a criminal record received for conduct that occurred outside the context of employment. The case The...
Your Domestic Violence Leave Entitlements
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) introduced unpaid domestic violence leave earlier this year, changing the workplace entitlements of millions of workers on modern awards. From the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2018, these employees were given...
Calls for Tougher Laws Against Industrial Manslaughter
There is a growing push for the introduction of industrial manslaughter to be introduced as a discrete offence across Australia, in order to prescribe harsh penalties for acts or omissions by employers that result in the deaths of their employees....
