A petition has been created to push for a Youth Koori Court to be established in Lismore. “The Northern Rivers and North Coast of NSW have a disproportionate number of Indigenous youth in contact with the criminal justice system,” the petition states. Last decade, over 50 per cent of arrested Indigenous youth were re-offenders. The […]
Push for Youth Koori Court in Lismore Read More »
Last week, our Principal Solicitor Peter O’Brien did the Legal Aid list at Central Local Court, assisting unrepresented people with their criminal charges. Sadly, 14 of the 15 people on the list at the Court that day were homeless. Census figures reveal that homelessness in Australia increased by 13.7% between 2011 and 2016. 20% of
Criminalisation of the Homeless Read More »
Australia’s Constitution as it stands protects only a limited number of rights. Most of them have been read as ‘implied rights’ by the High Court. Australians can find their human rights that are protected in the Constitution, in common law, anti-discrimination laws and other State and Federal legislation. Our human rights are also protected through
Should Australia Introduce a Charter of Rights? Read More »
A worker at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre last week tested positive to coronavirus. The newest case in Queensland is of a relative of the worker. The supervisor was working at the centre in Wacol in the city’s west when she tested positive. The woman worked five shifts while in the infectious period for the
First Nations advocates and families of those who have died in custody are demanding “fundamental change[s] to the justice system”. Deadly Connections Community and Justice Services held a press conference behind NSW Parliament today with the Chatfield Family. Greens MLC David Shoebridge also spoke at the conference along with Black Lives Matter rally co-organiser Elizabeth
Urgent Calls for Independent Oversight into Deaths in Custody Read More »
This weekend when you’re watching the AFL Indigenous Round, you’ll notice a glaring lack of Aboriginal flags on display. Why is this? Well, it’s a copyright issue. A company called “WAM Clothing” has exclusive worldwide rights to use the flag on clothing. Meaning that the flag appearing on the AFL uniforms is a breach of
Free The Flag Campaign Picks Up AFL Support Read More »
Allegations of abuse at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania surfaced after a former inmate came forward. The man claims he experienced sexual, mental and physical abuse during his stay at the facility. The man has rejected funds from the National Redress Scheme. Instead, he is opting to threaten legal action against the State Government
Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse in Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania Read More »
A worker at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre has tested positive to coronavirus. A 76-year-old woman working at the centre in Wacol in the city’s west tested positive to the virus while still working. The woman worked five shifts while in the infectious period. “What you’re going to hear today is the story of a
Brisbane Youth Detention Worker Tests Positive to COVID-19 Read More »
More than 150 people have had their personal email addresses leaked after complaining about the use of capsicum spray against protesters at a Black Lives Matter rally in Sydney. The protesters were kettled into Central Station were they were pepper-sprayed by NSW Police officers. Last week, writer and artist Samuel Leighton-Dore tweeted that an officer
Police Leaked Email Addresses of Central Station Pepper Spray Victims Read More »
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has made admissions about the increasing use of force and restraint in immigration detention. A recent oversight report stated that there has been an increased tendency for detention staff to use force as a first choice, rather than a last resort. The use of mechanical restraints such as handcuffs and body restraints
Increasing Use of Unlawful Force in Immigration Detention Centres Read More »
