Queensland Police Officers Accused of Misconduct
Four Queensland Police Officers have been accused of misconduct in public office after allegedly allowing a now-former police sergeant who admitted he had been drinking to avoid a breath test, and saying they would delete bodycam footage of the incident....
Federal Court Hears Challenge to COVID Travel Bans
Since March 2020, those residing in Australia have generally been prohibited from travelling overseas without a Federal Government exemption. A recent exception to this rule is the New Zealand ‘travel bubble’, which since 19 April 2021 has permitted travel to...
Rape or Sexual Assault? What is the Correct Legal Term in New South Wales?
Yesterday’s sentencing of former football star Jarryd Hayne has triggered online debate about whether the correct description of the offence for which he was convicted is ‘rape’ or ‘sexual assault’. Mr Hayne was convicted of two counts of sexual assault,...
Senior citizen Launches Federal Court Challenge Against India Travel Ban
A 73-year old Australian man has launched urgent Federal Court proceedings, challenging the Australian Government’s travel ban which would criminalise him for returning from India. Gary Newman has been stranded in Bangalore since March 2020 when he visited friends, and...
The Offence of Using a Phone or Internet Service to Make a Threat in Australia
A controversial plan to build a restaurant and bar on the sand at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach has attracted it’s fair share of criticism since the plan was first revealed last year. New South Wales Planning Minister Rob Stokes has...
The Offences of Recording and Distributing Intimate Images Without Consent
A former Liberal staff member who filmed himself masturbating on the desk of a female member of parliament has reported to police that he was the victim of revenge porn. The staff member, Nathan Winn, was terminated from his position...
The New Mental Health Regime in the NSW Criminal Courts
The Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 (NSW) (the New Act) came into effect on the 27 March 2021. Passed last June, the New Act replaces the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 (NSW) (the Old Act)...
Driver Who Filmed Dying Police Officer Sentenced in Court
The man who filmed a police officer while she lay dying on the road after being hit by a truck could walk free from prison in the coming days, after receiving a backdated sentence of 10 months in prison. The...
Is it Legal to Ride a Power-Assisted Bicycle in New South Wales?
On 22 January 2021, the Australian Government updated the requirements for permitted e-bikes. There are only two types of eBikes permitted on roads and road-related areas, which are power-assisted cycles whereby the motor is activated by a throttle, and power-assisted...
Is it Legal to Ride an eScooter in New South Wales?
The New South Wales government has abandoned its plan for an electric scooter trial in Sydney, despite the move across Australia towards legalising them. As a result, it continues to be illegal to ride eScooters on roads and road-related areas...
