Disabled Pensioners: the Government’s New Drug War Targets
The Turnbull government has hit a new low in its war against drugs. Legislation has just been tabled that proposes to deny the pension to hundreds of people who are currently deemed disabled due to their level of drug or...
Australian Prince Ordered to Pay Back-Taxes
The founders of Australia’s oldest ‘micro-nation’ have found out the hard way that you can be the king of the castle, but still have to pay your taxes, after losing a Supreme Court battle against the Australian Tax Office (ATO)....
Manslaughter by Text Message
A US judge has found that Michelle Carter caused the death of her boyfriend Conrad Roy, by sending him a barrage of text messages urging him to kill himself. Ms Carter faces up to 20 years in prison after being...
Prosecuting Potential Predators: Government Passes ‘Carly’s Law’
In 2007, 15-year old Carly Ryan was murdered in South Australia by 47-year old Gary Newman - who created more than 200 fake online profiles of young men to prey on underage girls. Carly’s mother, Sonya Ryan, later established the...
Should Drug Addiction Lead to a Lesser Sentence?
According to a report published by the Australian Institute of Criminology, nearly half of 1,884 police detainees surveyed in nine data collection locations reported that their offending was related to drug or alcohol use. Most of those who reported the...
Terminally Ill Given Faster Access to Medical Cannabis
A Greens motion passed through the federal Senate on Tuesday that allows terminally ill patients faster access to medicinal cannabis. Under the new provisions, patients that have a prescription are able to import up to three months of the medicine from regulated...
Australia’s Denial of Indigenous Rights: An Interview with Koorie Institute’s Terry Mason
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP) is an international human rights agreement outlining the inalienable rights of the First Peoples of all continents and islands of the globe. Although it’s not legally binding, it sets up guiding...
Turnbull Continues Assault on Civil Liberties
On Tuesday, Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull delivered his National Security Statement before parliament. During his speech, the PM focused on the threat of terrorism, declaring that his government was committed to “balancing the priority of community safety with individual liberties.”...
Government Declares Amnesty on Illegal Firearms
Amidst fears of terrorism, the federal government proposes to implement an amnesty which allows people to surrender illegal and unregistered firearms without fear of prosecution. Terrorist threat Australia’s gun laws came into the spotlight once again after the Lindt Cafe...
Sydney’s Street Kitchen and Safe Space Going Strong, Despite Council Threats
Sydney’s 24-7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space has been providing the city’s homeless with meals and a sheltered area to sleep in since mid-December last year. Currently, the kitchen is dealing with an influx of people to feed, as the only...