Defamation Laws Restrict Public Accusations of Sexual Misconduct
A recent report by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) suggested that workplace sexual harassment is on the rise across the nation. But while the global #metoo movement has encouraged complainants to come forward and report sexual misconduct, journalist Ronan...
Can an Employee be Terminated for Criminal Conduct Outside Work?
A recent decision by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has sought to explain whether and, if so, when an employee can be terminated for a criminal record received for conduct that occurred outside the context of employment. The case The...
Your Domestic Violence Leave Entitlements
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) introduced unpaid domestic violence leave earlier this year, changing the workplace entitlements of millions of workers on modern awards. From the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2018, these employees were given...
Calls for Tougher Laws Against Industrial Manslaughter
There is a growing push for the introduction of industrial manslaughter to be introduced as a discrete offence across Australia, in order to prescribe harsh penalties for acts or omissions by employers that result in the deaths of their employees....
Tasmania to Enact Anti-Consorting Laws
The Tasmanian government is pushing through new legislation to criminalise the act of consorting with those who have ‘served their time’. Restricting associations The proposal would make it a crime for a convicted offender to associate with with another within...
Should Employers be Allowed to Discriminate based on a Criminal Record?
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has delivered its long-awaited report on the case of BE v Suncorp Group Ltd [2018] AusHRC 121, which raised important questions regarding discrimination against employment applicants based on their criminal records. Human rights law...
Statistics on NSW Drugs Busts Exaggerated
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has announced it has mistakenly double-counted a large number of drug busts over the past seven years - an admission which many believe further bolsters the argument that the war on drugs...
Claims of a ‘Sudanese Crime Wave’: Political Point Scoring at its Worst
Lawyer and social justice advocate Nyadol Nyuon recently asserted on a breakfast news program that media reports of a ‘Sudanese gang crime wave’ in Victoria are unfounded, as crimes committed by that section of the community represent a drop in...
Do I have to attend the court if subpoenaed?
A subpoena is a court order to attend court, produce documents or both. Although it is normally prepared and filed by the defence or prosecution in criminal proceedings, it is important to be aware that the failure to comply can...
Should Politicians be Sacked if they Commit Crimes?
Donald Trump’s former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen has pleaded guilty to eight charges in the United States Federal Court, and in doing so has implicated the president in a criminal conspiracy. Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to making false statements,...
