Legalise Cannabis WA Takes Two Upper House Seats: An Interview With MLC Sophia Moermond
In a sign that the global trend towards legalised cannabis markets is likely to hit Australian shores in the not-too-distant future, the Legalise Cannabis WA (LCWA) Party took out two Legislative Council seats in the 13 March Western Australian state...
Tony Mokbel’s Drug Importation Charge Withdrawn
The fallout from the Lawyer X scandal continues in Victoria, with the Court of Appeal ordering a retrial for underworld kingpin Tony Mokbel despite him being acquitted last year. The back story Mr Mokbel was on bail during his jury...
“A Sword and Not a Shield”: Professor Simon Rice on Latham’s Religious Freedom Laws
That people should not be discriminated against because of their religious beliefs is something that a majority living within our secular society would agree upon. Indeed, persecuting someone because of adherence to a particular faith is akin to discrimination on...
The Law, Penalties and Defences for Aggravated Sexual Assault in Company
A jury in Downing Centre District Court has heard that a then-19 year old woman felt “dead inside” when NRL payers Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair allegedly forced her to have sexual intercourse in the early hours of 9...
A “Totalitarian Regime With a Sunny Climate”: McBride on Whistleblower Persecution
“I am appalled by what our country has become,” said former ADF lawyer David McBride. “I grew up in the shadow of the Second World War. I believed all that. And my disgust and anger to find that most of...
Morrison’s Public Humiliation of Former Aust Post CEO: Yet Another Example of Misogynistic Leadership
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s handling of the Cartier Watches saga at Australia Post, in particular his treatment of former CEO Christine Holgate, has exposed the ‘toxic boys club’ within the country’s leadership. The PM is currently trying to distance himself...
How long does it take to get demerit points back in New South Wales?
The demerit point scheme was introduced in 1969 across all states and territories in order to encourage safe driving. In New South Wales the demerit point scheme is regulated by Part 3.2 of the Road Transport Act 2013. In this...
“They Say Accident, We Say Murder”: 474 First Nations Custodial Death 30 Years On
“This shows how our government facilities and systems will treat you if your skin colour is black,” declared Dunghutti activist Paul Silva at the 10 April Stop All Black Deaths in Custody Rally in Sydney. “They thrive on systematic racism...
Judges and Politicians Face Dismissal for Sexual Harassment
After weeks of mounting pressure, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally announced that his Government will accept “wholly, in part, or in principle” the 55 recommendations made in the Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020). The report was handed...
NSW Police Rejected Three Opportunities to Take Statement on Porter Accusations
It was all very clear cut. Following former attorney general Christian Porter’s 3 March admission that he was the accussed in an historic rape claim, PM Scott Morrison said there would be no independent investigation, as the allegations were a...