Bribing the Human Rights Commissioner – Did the Government Act Illegally?
It appears that Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs is fighting yet another battle with the Federal Government. In January, Professor Triggs came under fire after she recommended that an Indonesian man who served his prison time after being convicted of...
Legal Aid Funding Cuts and the Right to a Fair Trial
The right to a fair trial is an essential cornerstone of our legal system, but the Federal Government’s cuts to Legal Aid funding look set to erode this important safeguard. The government’s tough budgetary measures have resulted in widespread funding...
They can’t take my home! Man chains himself to machinery to protest compulsory acquisition
A letter arrives in the mail box one day telling its owner that the government is going to “compulsorily acquire” his home. Over 40 homes of his neighbours get the same letter. The government has earmarked the area for demolition...
Two Arrested in Latest Sydney Anti-Terrorism Raids
Police recently arrested two men in the latest spate of anti-terrorism raids across Sydney. Omar Al Kutebi and Mohammad Kiad, both aged in their mid-twenties, were each charged with undertaking acts in preparation or planning for a terrorist attack. It...
The Protection of Police Informants and Prison Inmates: New Information Surrounding the Death of Carl Williams
If you’ve ever seen the hit TV series Underbelly or followed Melbourne’s notorious gangland killings, the name ‘Carl Williams’ might ring a bell. Williams was an underworld drug trafficker who was known to have a long-running feud with fellow drug...
Dangers faced by Foreign Correspondents in the Modern World: The Peter Greste Case
Love it or hate it - the media plays an important role in influencing public opinion and facilitating discussion in our modern world. While we often publish blogs about media organisation exaggerating facts and contributing to ‘moral panics,’ there do...
Bikies Charged Under Controversial Consorting Laws
Detective Superintendent Debbie Wallace has declared that she will be going tough on bikers who repeatedly associate with those who have criminal records, which is an offence known as ‘consorting’. Over the weekend, a total of 13 members of the...
Illegal Phone Tapping by NSW Police: Is the Force Corrupt from the Core?
How would you feel if you found out that your colleagues had tapped your phone and other communications outlets in order to jeopardise your career? You might feel betrayed, angry or upset. You might even lodge a complaint with your...
NSW Prisons Soon to Be Smoke Free
Did you know that nearly 80% of NSW prison inmates smoke? In contrast, about 18% of the general population smokes. Smoking is increasingly being squeezed out of more and more public and private places, and prisons are next. Prison inmates...
New Penalties for High Range Drink Driving are Nearly Here
Has someone you know been charged with drink driving? If so, they may be familiar with how drink driving cases are dealt with in court. However, they may not be aware that law relating to drink driving are about to...
