Islamophobia: An Interview with AFIC President Keysar Trad
Practising Muslims pray five times a day. It’s one of the five pillars of Islam, referred to as Salat. When they do so they kneel down and prostrate themselves, resting on a small mat and facing in the direction of Mecca:...
The Real Laws That Threaten Public Debate
If you read the papers, you might think section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act is the biggest threat to public debate in Australia. For almost two years, the issue has featured prominently on front pages of major newspapers around...
Police Powers to Stop, Require Identification and Search in NSW
Being confronted on the street or pulled over by a police officer can be a nerve-wracking experience. Even if you haven’t done anything wrong, you may feel concerned and anxious about how the situation will pan out, or even worried...
Decriminalising Medical Cannabis: An Interview with NSW Labor MLC Adam Searle
NSW Opposition leader Luke Foley introduced a game-changing medicinal cannabis bill before parliament on March 9, which has largely gone unnoticed. The legislation calls for the decriminalisation of possession of the medicine, as well as establishing “a lawful supply chain.” “We know that for...
Precious Police Officer Arrests Heckler
Video footage has been published of a NSW detective inspector giving a press conference outside Albury police station when an apparently intoxicated man walks from across the street with a beer in his hand and yells “bullshit”. The seasoned officer is so...
The Sentencing Database: An Interview with NSW Judicial Commission CEO Ernest Schmatt
The Judicial Commission of NSW plays a key role in the running of this state’s justice system, providing ongoing educational information to judicial officers, while investigating complaints made against them. The commission is an independent statutory corporation established that was under the Judicial...
“Don’t Do the Crime if you Can’t Do the Time”: The Conservative’s Mantra
“Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time” - it’s a catchphrase often used when someone is accused of a crime, or during discussions about bail laws or incarceration rates in Australia. But the reality is that significant...
The Slow Passage of Women’s Workplace Rights in Australia
Despite years of legislating against the gender pay gap, it remains a persistent feature of the Australian workplace. Unequal pay outcomes for women are a stark reminder that there’s an antiquated perception that a woman’s contribution in the workplace is...
Turnbull to Cut Funding to Community Legal Centres
Already in Australia, over 45,000 people per year are left to represent themselves in court - often against a well-resourced and professional prosecution. It is a situation that leaves thousands vulnerable to injustice. Now, the Commonwealth government plans to drastically...
It’s Time to Decriminalise, Regulate and Tax Drugs
The release of the Australia 21 report on drugs caused quite a stir last week. Entitled Can Australia Respond to Drugs More Effectively and Safely?, the report made a number of key recommendations aiming to decriminalise drugs use in this country. What...
