Royal Commission Rejects Punitive Approach to Juvenile Justice
The final report of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory was tabled in parliament on 17th November 2017. It represents an unequivocal rejection of the Territory’s ‘tough on crime’ approach to juvenile...
NSW Police Strip-Search Female Protesters
Two women protesting the treatment of asylum seekers on Manus Island have reported being arrested, conveyed to the police station and strip-searched before being released without charge. Susan Price and Rachel Evans were amongst around 200 people protesting Australia’s offshore...
AirBnb Hosts Can be Fined in NSW
The home sharing phenomenon has taken off worldwide in recent years, and AirBnb is a market-leading website platform facilitating the cost-effective arrangement. Many who are struggling to make mortgage repayments or pay the rent are finding the platform to be...
NSW District Court Judge Mistakenly Considers Standard Non-Parole Period
In the early afternoon of 20 June 2013, Jason Potts walked down an alley beside a house situated on Chancery Street, Canley Vale in Sydney. The 40-year-old was accompanied by his 18-year-old son. The pair, who were both wearing gloves, jumped...
Same-Sex Marriage: What Happens Next?
Unless you’ve been trapped on a deserted island somewhere, you’ll know Australia’s controversial, prolonged and expensive public survey has voted in favour of same-sex marriage. Across the nation, banners waved slogans such as ‘Love Wins’ and ‘Equality at Last’. But...
The British Empire’s Opium Trade Led to the War on Drugs
In the mid-18th century, China was exporting large quantities of highly sought-after commodities to European countries, such as porcelain, silk, tea and spices. By contrast, the goods produced in Europe were of little interest to the Chinese. Under the Qing...
There’s a Resounding Silence Over the Paradise Papers Revelations
The largest leak of financial information in history was made globally last week and the reaction has been lacklustre. The 13.4 million files that make up the Paradise Papers uncover the financial dealings of the ultra-rich and major corporations in...
Queensland Police Under Attack
The Queensland Police Union has called for an audit into security at police facilities across the state, after a spate of attacks on stations, officers and even their homes. The Courier Mail reported on November 7 that a series of...
French Court Finds that Sex with Child Wasn’t Rape
In NSW, it is a crime for a person to have sexual intercourse with another who is under the age of 16-years, or 18 if there is a relationship of ‘special care’. Similar ‘age of consent’ laws apply in countries...
Stop the Forced Sterilisation of Females with Disabilities
Australia won a seat on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on October 17. The Australian campaign for a position on the leading human rights body consisted of five pillars. These included a pledge to promote gender equality, as well...
