Prosecuting Potential Predators: Government Passes ‘Carly’s Law’
In 2007, 15-year old Carly Ryan was murdered in South Australia by 47-year old Gary Newman - who created more than 200 fake online profiles of young men to prey on underage girls. Carly’s mother, Sonya Ryan, later established the...
Rugby League Star’s Ex Faces Charges of Intimidation
The Penrith Panthers Rugby League club has praised police for their response to an incident involving social media posts which threatened the life of rising star Bryce Cartwright. Cartwright’s ex-girlfriend, Brittany Hura, posted nude pictures of Cartwright and made threats...
Criminal laws “lead almost to a ‘brain explosion’”, says Supreme Court Judge
Victorian Supreme Court Judge Mark Weinberg has seen a great deal in his 50 years as a lawyer, including the criminal law’s “shift from common law to statute, and in some cases, to codification”. In his speech to the Victorian...
KickAss Torrents Kicked Out of the Market
The man behind a popular file-sharing site is the subject of criminal charges in the US for copyright infringement and money laundering. 30-year-old Ukrainian, Artem Vaulin, is alleged to be the mastermind behind Kickass Torrents or ‘KAT’. Vaulin has been...
WA Introduces Tough Laws Against Protesters
Not one, not two, but three United Nations Special Rapporteurs have raised concerns about the Western Australian Government’s new laws targeting protesters, which are scheduled for debate in parliament tomorrow. The UN has sent a letter urging MPs to vote...
Teenaged Terrorism Suspect Must Face Supreme Court
A Victorian judge has ordered that a teenager accused of plotting a terrorist act must face the Supreme Court, instead of the Children’s Court. The 17-year-old’s home was raided in May this year, during which police allegedly discovered a range...
Extravagant MPs: What does the law say about excessive spending?
Parliamentary Speaker Bronwyn Bishop is on probation after she claimed a $5,227 helicopter ride to attend a Liberal Party fundraising dinner. While this may seem like an extravagant use of taxpayer money, Bishop denies breaking any entitlement rules. And while...
Should We Share Intelligence With Iran to Combat Terrorism?
With events planned across the country to mark the ANZAC centenary this weekend, Australian leaders have spent the week alongside other world leaders discussing how to best address the threat posed by terrorism. The discussions follow on from raids conducted...
Is It a Crime Not to Help Someone in Danger?
You may know about the Biblical parable of a man attacked and beaten by robbers during a long journey. He lay by the side of the road, dying. Two people passed him by, without stopping or offering help, while only...
The Perceived Link Between Islam and Terrorism: Misinformation and Media-Fuelled Hysteria
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “terrorist”? For many, the word ‘terrorist’ conjures up images of balaclava-wearing Muslim extremists carrying assault rifles and flags bearing Arabic writing. It’s a stereotype that has been fostered in part...
