Students Sued Over Criticising University Policy
By Zeb Holmes Three students and two staff members from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and the University itself, could be liable for substantial damages if a case of racial discrimination against them is successful. The proceedings arose in...
Drug Using Police Officer Faces the Music
At the start 2014, Tara Radford had a promising career ahead of her. Along with six other graduates from the Queensland Police Academy, she accepted a posting in Townsville, had her picture taken for the local paper, and began the...
Rise in NSW Gun Ownership: A Cause for Concern?
The issue of gun ownership sparks heated debate from both ends of the spectrum: those in favour of greater gun control typically argue that countries with high levels of ownership have more gun crime, that ready access to firearms increases...
Senior Officer Suspended for Sexist and Homophobic Posts
New South Wales police officers have been caught red-handed again, after a Sun Herald investigation uncovered a campaign of intimidation and harassment against Newtown MP Jenny Leong. Police personnel at Sydney City, Kings Cross, Bankstown and Cabramatta Local Area Commands,...
Immigration Minister: Judge, Jury and Executioner
The Federal Government is about to start stripping those who they claim are involved in terrorism of their Australian citizenship. At the end of last year, Australia passed controversial legislation which authorises the Immigration Minister to revoke the citizenship of dual...
NSW Government to Scrap Successful Rehabilitation Program
The NSW government has decided to axe a rehabilitation program which has proven to be highly successful in addressing underlying issues and reducing reoffending. The Court Referral of Eligible Defendants into Treatment program (‘CREDIT’) has run on a trial basis...
The War Against Prison Contraband
The photos said it all in The Daily Telegraph’s exposé on the massive haul of contraband recently found in New South Wales correctional facilities: Ice, marijuana, steroids, weapons, tattoo guns, mobile phones and SIM cards, along with more than 8000...
Prison Administrators Fail to Prevent Violence
It is often said that people are sent to prison as punishment, not to be punished. But the rising incidence of injury and illness within prisons across Australia has renewed concerns about how our prisons are being administered. This week,...
Fu@#en Hell! … Can I be fined for swearing?
Police have an enormous amount of discretion when it comes to fining or sending people to court for swearing – as long as: the language would be considered offensive by a ‘reasonable person’, is uttered in a public place (including the...
Jury Nullification: Power to the People
Being on a jury is an important civic duty, although it can disrupt work and family commitments. A jury’s primary role in a criminal case is to decide the facts, and the ultimate question of whether a defendant is guilty...
