Banning Semi-Automatic Handguns: A Good or Bad Thing?
An enquiry looking at whether or not to ban semi-automatic handguns has met with resistance from a number of shooting and firearms collectors clubs in NSW. The clubs have raised concerns about the potential ban of these weapons, warning that...
Mastermind Behind Silk Road Convicted on All Charges
American web developer Ross Ulbricht was this week convicted on seven Federal charges, including trafficking drugs on the internet, computer hacking and money laundering. Following a three-week long trial, a jury found that the 30-year-old had planned, created and run...
Dangers faced by Foreign Correspondents in the Modern World: The Peter Greste Case
Love it or hate it - the media plays an important role in influencing public opinion and facilitating discussion in our modern world. While we often publish blogs about media organisation exaggerating facts and contributing to ‘moral panics,’ there do...
Bikies Charged Under Controversial Consorting Laws
Detective Superintendent Debbie Wallace has declared that she will be going tough on bikers who repeatedly associate with those who have criminal records, which is an offence known as ‘consorting’. Over the weekend, a total of 13 members of the...
Illegal Phone Tapping by NSW Police: Is the Force Corrupt from the Core?
How would you feel if you found out that your colleagues had tapped your phone and other communications outlets in order to jeopardise your career? You might feel betrayed, angry or upset. You might even lodge a complaint with your...
Should Australia Extradite People Facing the Death Penalty?
The death penalty is condemned by many countries, including Australia, where the last execution took place in 1967. But what happens when a treaty signed by Australia means that we could receive requests for the extradition of people who may...
Undercover Police Operations: How Far Can Police Go to Investigate Crime?
The portrayal of undercover police operations in movies and on TV may leave audiences with the perception that they are thrilling, secretive operations – full of tension, action and drama. But just how far can undercover police go to gain...
Private Policing – How would you feel about bouncers performing arrests and issuing fines?
We published a blog last year about private prisons in Australia, and whether they may be seen to encourage reoffending. Many feel that because private companies such as Serco provide a service in exchange for economic gain, there is an...
Two Lawyers knew Convicted Murderer was Innocent: Why didn’t they Speak Out?
Imagine this: the fate of an innocent person is in your hands - but your professional obligations prevent you from speaking out. One survey of Australian criminal lawyers found that 75% have regularly lain awake worrying about ethical issues connected...
NSW Prisons Soon to Be Smoke Free
Did you know that nearly 80% of NSW prison inmates smoke? In contrast, about 18% of the general population smokes. Smoking is increasingly being squeezed out of more and more public and private places, and prisons are next. Prison inmates...
