Lies, Deception and Fraud: What is the Difference?
We all know that people lie. But not all lies are deception, and not all deceptions amount to fraud under criminal law. The case of Belle Gibson Belle Gibson is a social media entrepreneur and developer of The Whole Pantry...
Are Police Officers Paid Enough?
Police officers are at the front-line of law enforcement, performing jobs that are important to the community. So you would expect that police officers earn a reasonable pay packet and have decent leave entitlements. But the Police Association has suggested...
Sofia Vergara Lawsuit: Who Owns Frozen Embryos?
If you enjoy an occasional spot of Hollywood gossip, you might be aware of Colombian-American actress Sofia Vergara’s bitter dispute with former partner Nick Loeb over who owns the couple’s frozen embryos. The couple decided to freeze some of Vergara’s...
Should PMS be a legal defence?
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is sometimes blamed for female behaviour that may otherwise be considered inexcusable. Thousands of jokes surround the topic, and the syndrome has even been used in court to successfully defend criminal charges. But is PMS really...
Do I Have to Report a Crime that I’ve Seen?
A video taken on a mobile phone shows a huge crowd of college students on a beach in Florida, in the United States. Police are viewing it to investigate a shooting, but then something else emerges. The video reportedly shows...
Do People Lie About Sexual Assault?
Incidents of sexual assault have been widely publicised in the media following a number of high-profile cases, including that of Kings Cross nightclub heir Luke Lazarus. Data published in 2014 indicates that Australia has a huge problem with sexual assault...
Prosecuted for not sending kids to school
We all want the best for our kids, and not everyone feels that the traditional school system is the right fit. After all, plenty of successful people have had little or no formal schooling. But in NSW, making sure your...
High Court Cuts ICAC down to size
You may remember late last year that Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen faced accusations of perverting the course of justice after her son’s girlfriend had a car accident. The allegations were that Cunneen told Sophia Tilley, the girlfriend, to fake chest...
Should We Share Intelligence With Iran to Combat Terrorism?
With events planned across the country to mark the ANZAC centenary this weekend, Australian leaders have spent the week alongside other world leaders discussing how to best address the threat posed by terrorism. The discussions follow on from raids conducted...
Should people be kept behind bars because they might commit a crime in the future?
How would you feel if Parliament passed a law specifically to keep you in prison, even after you had done your time, based on a speculation that you might commit further crimes if released? And what if the legislation even...
