Suicide- Related Criminal Offences in Australia
It has been many years since laws which criminalised attempted suicide were repealed in states and territories across Australia. But over the past couple of decades, a sinister trend has emerged which can contribute to people making the tragic decision...
What is ‘Corrupt Conduct’ in New South Wales?
During last year’s ICAC hearings into the business affairs of former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire, the corruption watchdog quietly announced it would investigate another state politician- and no, not former premier Gladys Berejiklian, but the former NSW Minister for Sport...
The Laws Relating to Cyber Bullying and Online Abuse in Australia
The Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) was passed by the Australian Parliament on 23 June 2021 and came into effect on 23 January 2022. The second reading speeches to the Act makes clear that its objectives include: Protecting Australian adults...
The Offence of Giving False or Misleading Information to a Public Authority in NSW
Now former New South Wales police Commander Michael Rowan has been sentenced to 8 months in prison with a non-parole period of six months after pleading guilty to two counts of knowingly giving false or misleading evidence to a public...
Sydney Teenagers Charged with Murder
Three Sydney teenagers have been charged with murder after the fatal stabbing of a 16-year old boy which police believe may have been the result of an argument over a girl. Police and emergency services were called to a home...
What is an Extended Supervision Order in New South Wales?
The Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled last week that a ‘high-risk’ convicted child sex offender can return to the region where he broke into a home and sexually assaulted a four-year old girl. Residents of Grafton in Northern...
Minimising the Risk of Unfair Prejudice in Jury Trials
In the eyes of many, the relentless adverse publicity against the man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, Canberra on 22/23 March 2019 has made it impossible for him to ever receive a fair trial. Mr Lehrmann...
The Offences of Human Trafficking and Procuring a Child for Sexual Activity in Australia
Former socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse young girls. In December 2021, Ms Maxwell was convicted of a range of offences, including: Sex trafficking, Conspiring to...
The Law, Defences and Penalties for the Offence of Common Assault
A male teacher from an exclusive private school in Queensland has pleaded guilty to common assault after shoving a female student in the back with his foot. On 11 October 2021, 41-year old Travis Templar was employed as a teacher...
Channel 10 Hires Top Defamation Barrister and Warns Against Publicly Criticising its Presenter
It has been reported that television broadcaster Channel 10 has hired leading Sydney defamation barrister Dr Matthew Collins AM QC to go on the offensive against those who may defame presenter Lisa Wilkinson over comments she made during her Silver...
