New Police Watchdog will be Ineffective, Ombudsman warns
On September 13 this year, NSW deputy premier and police minister Troy Grant introduced a bill before parliament to establish the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). If passed, the new civilian agency will provide oversight into the running of the...
Keep Sydney Open: Thousands Protest Lockout Laws
Around 4,000 people have taken to the streets of Sydney to protest local lockout laws. Legendary Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes also threw his weight behind the protest, pointing out that patronage at live music venues had dropped as much as...
Homophobia Rife Within the NSW Police Force
Reports have emerged of rampant homophobia within the NSW Police Force, signified by the targeting, bullying, harassment and belittling of homosexual employees. Former Senior Constable, Christian McDonald, and three serving officers, Christopher Sheehy, Shane Housego and Steven Rapisarda are taking...
Attempted Murderer Laughs at Victim in Court
Brisbane woman Rachel Moore says she didn’t expect her former-partner would even have the ‘guts to look at her’ in court, but that if he did, she thought he might show sorrow and regret. Instead, he looked at her and...
The Pressures of Being a Prison Officer
The difficulties faced by prison officers in the context of a growing prison population is an area which is often ignored by the mainstream media. I recently visited the Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre (SWCC), where it was evident that officers...
Indigenous Australians Face Racism at Every Level of the Justice System
A 66-year-old Indigenous man was shot by police in Broome on Monday night, after he allegedly threatened officers and a taxi driver with a knife. Police were called to a disturbance at a property on Gubinge Road near the popular...
Legalise Cannabis: An Exclusive Interview with 420 organiser Chris Hindi
Last Sunday, the Free Cannabis community 420 picnic was held in Sydney’s Victoria Park. The event saw about 170 marijuana enthusiasts turn up, light up and get high. It’s the fourth picnic Free Cannabis NSW has organised this year, aiming...
Predator Dentist Allowed to Work with Children
By Blake O’Connor and Ugur Nedim Australia is renowned for its strong approach to border protection, with tough immigration laws making it difficult for many to settle in our country. However, government authorities have been criticised after allowing a dentist...
Senior Counsel: The Best Barristers or a Popularity Contest?
Last week, NSW Bar Association president Noel Hutley SC announced this year’s appointments to the coveted position of ‘silk’, or senior counsel, previously known as Queen’s counsel. Amongst the 15 barristers who received the honour, three were women. This makes...
Police Public Relations Stunt Backfires
They spend millions every year on public relations, and are often masters at manipulating the media and politicians, but this time a PR stunt has left the NSW Police Force looking a little silly. The stunt, captioned: “Keeping NSW &...
