How Does the National DNA Database Work?
With technology becoming increasingly sophisticated, DNA evidence is being relied on in more criminal cases than ever before. But the idea of taking DNA evidence and using it to solve crimes has led to controversy and raised some interesting debate...
Laws Against Motorcycle Club Members – Necessary or Just for Votes?
In the latest round of his crackdown on members of motorcycle clubs, NSW Premier Mike Baird has promised a new package of laws to complement existing “consorting laws” and further restrict communications between club members. Under the proposals, police will...
Should Controversial Dating Website be Shut Down?
An international dating website that matches wealthy older men to younger women could be breaching sex work laws, according to police. The SeekingArrangement website claims to be a dating website that encourages people to meet for dating, but members say...
Woman Avoids Prison after Killing Abusive Partner: Fair?
Jessica Silva had ended her abusive relationship of four years, over which time her partner, James Polkinghorne, had repeatedly tormented her. She did not report the abuse to police because she was too scared, and she didn’t think police could...
Is ICAC Getting Too Big for Its Boots?
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is responsible for investigating allegations of corrupt conduct in the NSW public sector. The ICAC has undertaken a number of high-profile investigations in recent times, including the allegations of corruption surrounding Eddie Obeid and...
Should traffic fines be based on your income?
If you think traffic fines in Australia are expensive, be grateful you don’t live in Finland or Switzerland - at least if you are a high-income earner! Traffic fines are not a fixed amount in those countries, but rather take...
Is Having Bills to Pay an Acceptable Fraud Defence?
A university contractor under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for fraud has told the inquiry that he was unable to pay his water and electricity bills on his $180,000 salary from Macquarie University, which led him to...
Should Headmaster Face Charges for Sexual Abuse Cover-Up?
Royal Commission hearings into the handling of allegations of indecent assault at prestigious Sydney boys’ school Knox Grammar have been told that a former headmaster deliberately withheld information from police about allegations of paedophilia. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses...
Can I be forced to testify against my family?
Receiving a subpoena to appear as a witness in court can be daunting. The experience can be even more stressful if you are called to testify against your loved-one. But there are laws that restrict the prosecution’s ability to force...
Should Sniffer Dogs be Banned?
Those who regularly attend music festivals will be aware that sniffer dogs routinely patrol the events in an attempt to catch would-be drug users and suppliers. Yet despite their presence, it seems that sniffer dogs do little to deter drug...
