Should Bigamy Continue to Be a Crime?
The practice of being in a relationship with numerous spouses, or ‘polygamy’, is an integral part of many traditional cultures around the world. It is practised in several Asian, African and Middle Eastern cultures - and even in Mormon communities...
Do People Lie About Sexual Assault?
Incidents of sexual assault have been widely publicised in the media following a number of high-profile cases, including that of Kings Cross nightclub heir Luke Lazarus. Data published in 2014 indicates that Australia has a huge problem with sexual assault...
Abortion in Australia – What Does the Law Say?
We recently published a blog about foetal homicide laws (‘feticide’) which have been gaining attention in America. That blog incited an interesting and thought-provoking discussion amongst our readers - some of whom were surprised to discover that abortion is against...
Are Penalties for Insider Trading Tough Enough?
The man behind Australia’s biggest case of insider trading has been sentenced to seven years and three months in prison. Lukas Kamay, 26, will serve a non-parole period of four years and six months after being sentenced in the Victorian...
Laws Against Motorcycle Club Members – Necessary or Just for Votes?
In the latest round of his crackdown on members of motorcycle clubs, NSW Premier Mike Baird has promised a new package of laws to complement existing “consorting laws” and further restrict communications between club members. Under the proposals, police will...
Food Contamination: Should there be harsher penalties?
Food contamination can be a serious matter, as the recent Hepatitis A outbreak from frozen berries has shown. At least 13 people across the country have been diagnosed with the virus after eating a certain brand of frozen berry products...
Man Guilty of Sexual Assault after Pretending to be Someone Else
We recently published a blog looking at the law in NSW when it comes to getting sex by deception; which is where one person lies to another in order to engage in sexual relations with them. A Victorian case now...
Prison Escapes: What Does the Law Say?
Have you ever wondered what the law was on prison escapes and how often they actually occur? You might be surprised to learn that escaping from prison is taken very seriously in the legal system. In New South Wales, the...
Bikies Charged Under Controversial Consorting Laws
Detective Superintendent Debbie Wallace has declared that she will be going tough on bikers who repeatedly associate with those who have criminal records, which is an offence known as ‘consorting’. Over the weekend, a total of 13 members of the...
Penalties for Fraud and Deception Offences: Recent Case Studies
Deception offences cover a broad range of criminal offences that can be committed against the Commonwealth or against individuals. Penalties for deception offences can vary considerably, depending on a number of different factors. Deception and fraud are two offences that...
