The Offence of Unauthorised Use or Possession of a Firearm in NSW
A weekend away has been a costly one for twelve NRL Players who allegedly attended a camping trip in Taree during lockdown, with police handing out more than 19 penalties, and the NRL issuing hefty fines to some of the...
Covid 19 Tracking App: To Download, or Not To Download?
More than two million people have downloaded the Federal Government’s COVIDSafe app since its release on Sunday, and the government is hoping for about 3 million more Australians to do so. But many are concerned about the app for a...
COVID-19: Victoria Introduces Judge-Only Trials
One of the few rights guaranteed by the Australian Constitution is the right to a trial by jury. The right is contained in section 80 of the Constitution, which provides that: “The trial on indictment of any offence against any...
Scout Leader Sent to Prison For Child Sexual Offences
A former New South Wales scout leader has been given a full term of more than 31 years in prison after pleading guilty to 12 child sexual assault offences, including one count of sexual intercourse with a child under 10...
COVID-19: Over-Enforcement Is Undermining Confidence in the Police Force
Amnesty International has added its voice to the growing calls across Australia for police to release the guidelines being used to enforce COVID-19 distancing regulations. Over the Easter weekend, after sending a strong message to all Australians to ‘stay home’...
Why Pell Walked: The High Court’s Findings
The full-bench of the High Court of Australia unanimously entered verdicts of acquittal in favour of appellant George Pell on 7 April 2020, in relation to child sexual offences in respect of which a jury unanimously found him guilty in...
The Offence of Termination of Pregnancy by an Unqualified Person
Until late 2019, it was a crime in New South Wales for a woman to have an abortion, or for another to perform an abortion or supply a drug for use in an abortion. These abortion offences were contained in...
COVID-19 Highlights the Need for an Australian Bill of Rights
Around the world, legal proceedings are being commenced against governments over social control measures implemented during COVID-19, but this presents a legal conundrum which must weigh the reduction of freedoms and legal safeguards against the need to stop the spread...
The Offence of Intentionally Coughing On or Spitting At a Public Official
Today, the New South Wales Minister for Health and Medical Research, Brad Hazzard, passed the Public Health (COVID-19 Spitting and Coughing) Order 2020 under the provisions of section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010. The order was gazetted within...
Can Police Enter My Residence to Check Compliance With a Public Health Order?
The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to unprecedented controls being placed on the Australian population, significantly restricting movement, association and gatherings. State and federal parliaments have been shut down, the executive has taken over powers normally exercised by parliament and...
