Holiday Road Toll Climbs Despite Millions Spent on Road Safety
The NSW road toll continues to climb, despite extra spending by the NSW government on programs marketed as road safety initiatives and more police officers on highway patrol. Last financial year, the state government set aside $300 million for roads...
The Duties of Lawyers in NSW
The Legal Profession Uniform Law (Uniform Law) came into effect in both NSW and Victoria on 1 July 2015. It provides the legal framework for the administration of the merged legal systems across the neighbouring states. The market for legal services across...
Federal MP Must Surrender Documents About Police Raid on Union
Turnbull Government minister Michaelia Cash has lost her Federal Court bid to block access to “key documents” relating to raids by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on offices of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU). The Western Australian senator’s fight to...
The History of Recreational Cannabis in Australia
The recreational use of cannabis in Australia sowed its seeds in Kings Cross in the mid to late 1960s, even though the plant had been outlawed decades earlier. It was introduced into Sydney’s bohemian hub by US servicemen, who were on...
Religious Freedom vs Equal Treatment: A Narrow and Divisive Debate
Just as the Christmas break was about to kick in, Australian treasurer Scott Morrison told Fairfax Media that he’ll been fighting back against discrimination against Christians – as well as other religions – next year. As an example of the...
2017 Drug Law Reform in Australia: An Interview with Harm Reduction Advocate Nick Wallis
Australia 21 released its report into illicit substances in March this year. Within it the independent public policy think tank made thirteen recommendations aiming to decriminalise illegal drugs, and to minimise the harms associated with their use. Among its recommendations, the report...
Police Beef-up Firepower in Time for New Year’s Eve
Military-style M4 semi-automatic rifles have been issued to police officers in time for New Year’s Eve celebrations, and police commissioner Mick Fuller says “we just have to get used to it.” “I don’t want the public to feel confronted, but...
New Zealand’s Progressive Medicinal Cannabis Law: An Interview with Advocate Rebecca Reider
The New Zealand government introduced a bill into federal parliament last week that will establish a local medicinal cannabis industry. NZ health minister David Clark said that cannabis medicines could be available in 24 months if the nation follows Australia’s example. However,...
Australian Federal Police Broadcasts Plans to Arrest Suspect
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) recently embarrassed itself when part of a discussion on plans to arrest a suspected North Korean agent were broadcast over social media. The hiccup is the latest in a number of bungles that have plagued...
Emojis Inside the Courtroom
Think the small expressive image at the end of your text or Facebook post is just an adornment? Well the law may think otherwise. Courts have found emojis to be relevant as evidence in a wide range of cases. In fact,...
