Disqualified Drivers Can Now Apply to Get Their Licences Back
The Road Transport Amendment (Driver Licence Disqualification) Act came into effect on 28 October 2017, allowing certain disqualified drivers in NSW to apply to the local court for the removal of their disqualification periods. Who can apply? If you are...
It’s Time for Politicians to Implement Sensible Policies: An Interview with Nevena Spirovska
The ACT government made a forward thinking move in September by approving the country’s first pill testing trial at a music festival. But a few weeks later, organisers of the Spilt Milk festival said they were unable to continue with...
Man Faces Prison for Allegedly Head-Butting Tony Abbott
The man accused of head-butting Tony Abbott during his trip to Tasmania last month has had his charge upgraded. Hobart DJ Astro Labe was originally charged with common assault, but the charge against him has now been upgraded to ‘causing...
Queensland to Finally Expunge Homosexuality Convictions
Queensland has passed laws which allow people who were convicted of homosexuality offences to have those entries deleted. Homosexual intercourse was a crime in Queensland until 1991. Anyone can now apply to have records of eligible offences charged or convicted...
Shopping Centre Giant Installs Facial Recognition Technology
Sophisticated facial recognition software, working in conjunction with your mobile phone, is tracking your every move and monitoring your every mood, each time you set foot inside a Westfield shopping centre. Tracking your movements, mood and purchases The Westfield ‘Smartscreen...
Should Complainants Have Access to Paid Domestic Violence Leave?
An average of one woman per week is killed at the hands of their present or former partner in Australia. With reports of domestic violence at an all-time high, there are calls for paid domestic violence leave to become standard...
Government Refuses to Pay Victims of Police Brutality
The Western Australian government has been criticised for appealing a District Court decision to award $1.1 million in damages to a couple who were illegally Tasered, wrongfully arrested, unlawfully detained and maliciously prosecuted by police after they stopped to help...
Legalising the Inaccessible: An Interview with Medicinal Cannabis Advocate Dr Teresa Towpik
A medicinal cannabis bill that would make it easier for terminally ill patients to access imported cannabis medicines passed through the Senate on Thursday. However, it’s expected the Turnbull government will vote it down in the lower house. This really...
Brandis Rebukes Dutton Over “Un-Australian” Lawyers Remarks
Back in August, Australian immigration minister Peter Dutton caused a furore when he accused lawyers who represent asylum seekers on a pro bono basis of being “un-Australian.” The backlash from inside and beyond the legal profession was widespread. Now, it seems Australia’s...
WA Government Defensive Over DNA Fiasco
An inquiry into government pathology service, PathWest, has found 11 anomalies in the forensic testing of samples relating to six of the 19 criminal cases examined. The revelations have put the state government on the back foot, with health minister Roger Cook...
