Australia is facing an epidemic, and no, we are not in a law and order crisis. In fact, that very perception is part of the problem of Australia’s rampant prison overcrowding. Australia’s prison population is increasing Recent BOCSAR statistics show a 10% increase in Australia’s prison population over the past year. This results in a […]
Australia’s Prison Overcrowding Epidemic Read More »
Cash injections into the legal system are very welcome. The Federal Budget 2015 announced $1.3 billion for courts to improve their services, including refurbishments. There was also the promise of $12 million for community legal services and $11.5 million for Aboriginal legal assistance. Redfern Legal Centre We just hope that these funds are going to
Save Redfern Legal Centre Read More »
Let’s take a moment to review the history of bail law in NSW, so that we can appreciate in full the stupidity of the most recent reforms. In 1978 Attorney-General Frank Walker’s reformed bail law entered into force, doing away with the discriminatory system of “cash bail” and introducing a general presumption in favour of
Those Who Do Not Learn from History are Doomed to Make Bad Bail Law Read More »
Media coverage of male violence against women could actually be exacerbating the problem, and could be partially to blame for disastrously low reporting rates. Statistics measuring non-reporting are obviously difficult to gather with accuracy, but an ABS national survey indicates that 81.1% of women who experienced sexual assault did not report it to the police.
Media Myths and Male Violence Against Women Read More »
The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) issued notices to appear in court to five players of the Gold Coast Titans Rugby League Club. Five players have been stood down, including Greg Bird, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa. These players have been accused of using cocaine, and supplying it to their close
The Fallout from Titans Drug Charges Exemplifies a Flawed War on Drugs Read More »
The executions of Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are now imminent after numerous appeals and pleas for clemency to the Indonesian president, Joko Widodo. This brings a focus on the death penalty. Some Australians support the death penalty It is difficult to quantify how many Australians support the death penalty. Triple J released a
Bali 9 Executions force us to confront our view on the death penalty Read More »
This last year has seen rampant cuts to legal aid. Funding to Legal Aid, the Aboriginal Legal Service and community legal centres being reduced by millions of dollars. These Legal Aid cuts are hurting those who most need it. Legal Aid won’t fund long or costly trials Legal Aid will not be funding expensive or lengthy
Cuts to Legal Funding are Myopic and Unjust Read More »
Legislative changes to the NSW Bail Act have commenced today through the enactment of the Bail Amendment Act 2014. Show Cause – Burden of Proof placed on accused The Act places an onus on the accused to positively show cause as to why their detention is not justified, effectively creating a general presumption against bail
Bail Amendment Act Commences Read More »
NSW Police remind motorists of the changes to reporting traffic crashes which come into effect next month. The new streamlined process starts on Wednesday 15 October 2014 as part of a red-tape reduction initiative to better manage crashes on NSW roads. From that date, police will attend and investigate crashes if it meets one or
Changes to reporting traffic crashes to Police Read More »
Homosexuality offences expunged Thirty years ago gay men faced jail time for homosexuality-related offences in NSW. Member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith introduced his private member’s bill in NSW parliament on Thursday which he said would correct the wrongs of the past. “No one should have to continue to suffer the disadvantage of having a criminal
NSW follows VIC on gay sex convictions Read More »
