Should the Child Sex Offender Register be Made Public?
For some people, no level of restrictions on those who have committed child sex offences can be too much. Many call for convicted child sex offenders to be shamed and persecuted for life, or worse. But while public safety is...
Should Prisoners be Treated as Citizens? Cruelty & Corruption in Prison
Prisons are generally considered to be secure facilities which protect the wider community from those who are convicted of serious crimes. At the same time, they aim to ensure that inmates are adequately supervised and are supposed to promote rehabilitation...
Are “Anti-Bikie” Laws Effective?
Laws surrounding controls imposed on alleged organised crime groups have attracted controversy since they were introduced in 2013, when motorcycle clubs were officially declared criminal organisations in NSW. Once declared a criminal organisation, groups face certain restrictions and limitations, which...
NSW State Election: Who is Tougher on Crime?
Australian politics has faced turbulence in recent weeks, with the Prime Minister experiencing increased dissatisfaction and criticism, resulting in talks of a leadership spill. But with the NSW state election coming up on the 28th of this month, the spotlight...
Should Doctors Be Forced To Give Evidence Against You?
Trust and confidentiality are an important part of the doctor patient relationship, and many people assume that if they see a medical professional for a health or emotional issue, their records will not be shown to a third party for...
Would You Want a Digital Driver Licence?
With two-thirds of Australians owning a smart phone and over a million ‘apps’ available online, technology is certainly playing an increasing part in our lives. And with your phone having the capacity to make online transactions and PayPass purchases in...
Do Criminal Cases Take Too Long?
It’s no secret that court processes are often lengthy and expensive, and if you wish to plead ‘not guilty’ to a criminal offence it can be many months or even a year or two before your matter is set down...
Should Prisoners be Forced to Speak English?
NSW Attorney General Brad Hazzard has announced new restrictions for a number of prisoners in NSW who are considered to be high risk due to their alleged links with terrorism. These restrictions mean that the inmates are no longer allowed...
Should Police Be Allowed to Doorknock for DNA?
Imagine this: you hear a knock at the door and you go to open it. You see two police officers, who ask you for a DNA sample. They say that you can refuse, in which case they will just get...
Should defendants have the right to silence in court?
You’ve probably heard that you have a right to silence when arrested or asked to participate in a police interview. And if you’ve been following our blogs, you’ll know that your right to silence has recently been watered-down by legislation....
