The Offence of Contravening a Human Biosecurity Emergency Requirement or Direction
Since COVID-19 landed on our shores in early 2020, a range of orders and determinations have been issued by state, territory and federal governments which regulate Australian residents, ostensibly to limit the spread of the virus. In New South Wales,...
Government Criminalises Aussies Who Use Travel Bubble as a Stepping Stone
The Australia / New Zealand bilateral ‘travel bubble’ came into effect on 19 April 2021, enabling Australian residents to travel across the Tasman without having to obtain authorisation from the Australian government. But in a pre-emptive move to prevent citizens...
The Offence of Sexually Touching a Child Aged 10 to 16
A 42-year old police sergeant has been charged with three counts of sexually touching a child aged 10 to 16, as well as two counts of indecent assault. The officer, who is attached to the North West Metropolitan Command, was...
The Law, Penalties and Defences for Aggravated Sexual Assault in Company
A jury in Downing Centre District Court has heard that a then-19 year old woman felt “dead inside” when NRL payers Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair allegedly forced her to have sexual intercourse in the early hours of 9...
Can I Have My Criminal Charges Dismissed Due to Mental Health? Section 14 Orders in NSW
On 27 March 2021, new laws came into effect in New South Wales to deal with situations where persons suffering from mental health issues come into contact with the criminal justice system. Among other things, the new laws cover: Applications...
The Offence of Intentionally or Recklessly Destroying or Damaging Property in NSW
A 21 year old has been handed a community correction order and ordered to pay more than $40,000 after a boozy night he says he was too drunk to remember. During sentencing proceedings in Downing Centre Local Court, the Presiding...
Strip-Searched Teen Loses Bid to Have Her Case Heard in All-Female Courtroom
An Indigenous girl who was 15 years old when strip-searched by police has lost her bid to have her case heard in an all-female courtroom. The girl’s lawyers made an application in Wagga Wagga Children’s Court for men, including the...
Covid Passports: A Good or Bad Idea?
Covid status certification is being developed in the United Kingdom while, in New York, it’s already a reality. And many believe it’s only matter of time before the Australian Government considers implementing similar requirements here. The proposed UK Covid certification...
Donald Trump May Face Criminal Charges
Former United States President Donald Trump is currently defending 29 civil lawsuits, and he’s also the subject of multiple criminal investigations, including one into whether he personally, along with the Trump Organisation, committed various offences of fraud – including bank,...
The Offence of Human Trafficking in Australia
In January this year, a 29-year old Australian from Lidcombe in Sydney became the first person to be convicted of human trafficking by coercing a person to leave Australia. It has been reported the man - whose name has been...
