How to Write a Character Reference for Court
For those who are pleading guilty to a criminal or traffic offence, it is a good idea to arrange for the preparation of up to three character reference letters for the court to consider during the sentencing process. References that...
NSW Police Officer Avoids Prison After Filming and Publishing Sexual Act Without Consent
A New South Wales police officer has been spared prison time after filming a colleague without consent while they were having sex and sharing it online to boast to colleagues. 28-year old senior constable Timothy Patterson filmed a sexual encounter...
Is Catfishing Illegal?
Using the internet to meet new friends, set up potential dates, hook up sexual liaisons or seek out a life partner is a worldwide phenomenon. For the most part, users of online social platforms can rely on the profiles of...
Tough New Laws Against Hate Speech
The NSW government is proposing to introduce new laws designed to crack down on hate speech and racial vilification that are intended to incite violence. Under the proposed new laws, those who incite or threaten violence against others on the...
Catholic Priests Refuse to Report Child Sexual Abuse
South Australian Catholic priests say they will defy a forthcoming state law which will require them to report information received during past or present confessions about child sex abuse. The South Australian Catholic Church has made it clear its members...
Australia Pioneered Drug Harm Reduction and Must Continue
Programs, strategies and policies designed to prevent or reduce the harms associated with the use of illicit substances are collectively known as harm reduction. This approach to drug use has been a key pillar of Australia’s National Drug Strategy since...
Domestic Violence Initiative Fails to Identify Those At-Risk
A recent report has concluded that a key initiative designed to combat domestic violence is failing complainants. The report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) suggests that the Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool (DVSAT), is a...
Trio Not Guilty of Breaking Anti-Protest Laws
Mudgee Local Court magistrate David Day has dismissed the proceedings against two women and a man who were arrested and charged last year while protesting against the expansion of the Wilpinjong coal mine, near the town of Wollar where they live....
New Programme Helps Skilled Migrants Obtain Appropriate Work
Since the end of the second world war in 1945, about 7 million people from overseas have settled in Australia, around 18,000 of which are refugees. Many highly skilled workers struggle with language barriers and cultural differences, which can impede...
Double Jeopardy Laws in New South Wales
The principle of double jeopardy stipulates that a person cannot be tried twice over the same offence. The rationale is that a person who is acquitted after being put through the ordeal of a criminal trial should be able to...
