The US Winds Back Mass Surveillance Laws
People living in the United States are said to be some of the most watched on the planet, with the National Security Agency (NSA) ramping up mass surveillance following the events of September 11, 2001. The nation’s willingness to monitor...
The Boston Bomber Death Penalty: Justice?
On 15 April 2013, a terrorist act took place that would alter the images that come to mind when we hear of the Boston Marathon. Three people were killed and hundreds were injured when two pressure-cooker bombs used exploded near...
Accessing Your Own Metadata: Ben’s Battle
We previously published a series of blogs about the Federal Government’s controversial new metadata laws, which were passed by the Senate in March. The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2015 was premised on the notion that it...
What Happens If Police Damage My Property?
Recent changes to the law mean that police are getting more and more power. But fortunately, they cannot barge down your front door and come into your home without a legitimate reason. Police must have a legitimate reason come into...
Should Police and Media be Charged for Dangerous Leaks?
In January, six terrified people hid in the cool room of a Paris supermarket while a gunman prowled around the store, planning his next move. The gunman had already killed four people and taken others hostage. He didn’t know that...
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...
When Online Jokes Get Serious!
It’s no secret that what you post on social media is not private. Back in the days before Facebook and Twitter, poor attempts at humour could be made to your friends, without any likely criminal repercussions, and hopefully quickly forgotten....
Do Police Need More Weapons to Deal with ‘Lone Wolf’ Attacks?
For many of us, the memories of watching the Sydney siege unfold are still fresh in our minds. Three people lost their lives when the saga culminated in a deadly shooting in the early hours of December 16 last year...
Why would anyone want to become a Jihadi bride?
Living under religious fundamentalism often means that women are treated as second-class citizens – relegated to household work and raising children without the opportunity to pursue higher education, paid employment and activities of their own choosing. Those who are born...
Nothing to Hide but Everything to Fear – Part 2 of our Special Series on the New Metadata Laws
Yesterday, we published part 1 of our two-part blog series about the Federal Government’s proposed meta-data retention laws which are now very close to being passed. The laws have been championed by Federal Attorney-General George Brandis as a key tool...
