Federal Government’s New Watchdog: A Further Threat to Civil Liberties
Trade unions and civil liberties groups have raised concern over a recent proposal to restore power to the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC). The Commission previously faced criticism for the “coercive power” it was able to exercise over union...
Lawyers Protecting the Environment, An Interview with Sue Higginson
Sue Higginson isn’t your typical city lawyer. An environmentalist and former campaigner, she’s been working at EDO NSW (formerly the Environmental Defender’s Office) for the last ten years, and is now the organisation’s CEO and Principal Lawyer. Before becoming a...
Proposed ‘Public Safety Orders’: Yet Another Mechanism of State Control
The NSW government has already introduced a range of laws removing basic democratic rights and safeguards, claiming those laws are necessary to fight against terrorism and outlaw motorcycle groups. Now, it wants to give police even greater control over members of...
“Disrespectful Behaviour” in Court to be a Crime
Defendants who refuse to stand in court, or yell at judges or magistrates, could face criminal charges from next month onwards, as the New South Wales Government moves to pass new laws against “disrespectful behaviour” in courtrooms. Last week, the...
Danger: ‘Superpredators’ Are Coming, Again!
As reported in an earlier blog, Victorian Chief Police Commissioner Graham Ashton claims that a rise in that state’s crime is largely attributable to the ‘Grand Theft Auto Generation’ – young criminals who mimic the stylised crimes in violent video...
Stopping Violence Against LGBTI Youth
By Matthew Drogemuller The Victorian Royal Commission Into Family Violence handed down 1900 pages of recommendations on Wednesday, earning praise from many front-line organisations. The Commission, launched 13 months ago and headed by Justice Marcia Neave of the Victorian Supreme...
Protecting Your Home from Intruders
A great deal of media attention has surrounded a recent case, where a Newcastle home-occupier was charged with murder after allegedly confronting and killing an intruder. The case has left many wondering about their rights if someone illegally enters their...
Woman Raises Funds to Investigate Own Rape
Only two weeks ago, 25 year old South Australian primary school teacher Airdre Mattner created a crowdfunding campaign, relying on the kindness of strangers to help investigate her claim that she was drugged and raped while holidaying in Korea last...
Fining the Homeless for Begging
Here’s a shocking reality: in most States and Territories across Australia, it’s illegal to beg for money. Yes, you read that right - asking for help can lead to criminal penalties. Imagine being homeless, with nowhere to sleep and no...
FBI Cracks Apple’s Encryption
In case you missed it, Apple has been embroiled in a legal battle with the United States Justice Department, who wanted the computer giant’s assistance to unlock an iPhone belonging to one of the gunmen involved in a terrorist attack...
