Tougher bail key to stopping crime surge, says top cop
With crime surging to record levels, one of Australia's largest police forces is pleading for government to fast-track tougher bail laws.
law enforcement
Tougher bail regime to harden young crims, critics warn
Tough bail laws will entrench criminal offending and lock away more children, say critics as retailers plead for action following a spike in violent crime.
Aussie road rules are not ready for self-driving cars
Road rules will need to be changed before autonomous vehicles become more common, or lawsuits could follow.
Cops failed to act above the line with data, phone taps
A scathing ombudsman's review of police surveillance powers found state forces lacking in how they secretly accessed telecommunications data.
Top cop warned of huge job as leadership crisis deepens
A former police chief has spoken of a "herculean task" to turn the force around as internal battles and a state's fight against rising crime continues.
Escalation fears after latest anti-Semitic vandalism
There are fears anti-Semitic incidents in Australia are worsening after an attack on a home that previously belonged to a prominent Jewish community leader.
Bail laws crack down halts court as arrests explode
Police have made 31 arrests in 24 hours after major changes to bail laws, causing courts to grind to a stop, leaving authorities scrambling for solutions.
‘Taking people with you’: leader agrees change is hard
After the Northern Territory's CLP government completed its first 100 days on December 2, leader Lia Finocchiaro has admitted change is sometimes hard.
Damning data revealed on eve of tough new crime laws
Police data revealing the extent of youth crime has been released on the eve of tough new laws being brought before a major state parliament.
Experts lash search and seizure laws for school kids
Proposed laws to be introduced in the Northern Territory would mean children as young as 10 could be searched for knives while at school.
X doesn’t mark the spot when it comes to Twitter fine
X Corp should not be responsible for fines issued to Twitter by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, its lawyers argued, as they are different companies.
Hostile group pelt police as Palestine rally turns ugly
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and police have clashed at a rally in Melbourne with officers using pepper spray after a group allegedly threw bottles and signs.
Surfer murder prompts calls for tough knife search laws
Police are hunting the killer of a 22-year-old man as the surfer's stabbing death in Coffs Harbour adds fuel to calls for knife law reforms.
‘Envy of other states’: Qld police hail wanding laws
One year after police stop-and-search powers were expanded in Queensland, more than 500 weapons have been removed from the streets.
Vigilance as crime continues under Alice Springs curfew
Alice Springs is still being hit with underage crime, days after a curfew was imposed, but the NT's police chief says there are some positive changes.
NSW bans spit hoods but still some backing in NT
Advocates are calling for all jurisdictions to ban spit hoods, after NSW became the second state to pass legislation prohibiting their use, following SA.
Two dead after three separate Qld shooting incidents
A woman and man in their 20s have died from gunshot wounds in separate and unrelated Queensland shootings.
Not fit for purpose: Fitbit fined $11m for false claims
Australia's Federal Court has issued Fitbit with an $11 million penalty for making misleading claims to customers who complained about faulty devices.
Health warning over high doses of MDMA in ecstasy pills
NSW health officials are concerned that three high-dose ecstasy tablets in circulation could increase the risk of harm to drug users.
Federal police want pay rise as officers cop job strain
The federal police association is calling on the government for a 20 per cent pay increase to help recruit and retain new members.
AFP chief denies conflict of interest with PwC partner
A parliamentary inquiry has grilled Australian Federal Police chief Reece Kershaw about his relationship with PwC partner Mick Fuller, an ex-NSW Police boss.
Police appeal for public’s help to combat child abuse
Senior police say people can provide crucial leads in child abuse investigations by identifying objects in the background of images.
Police probe into PwC could take years to resolve
The head of the Australian Federal Police says investigations into matters such as an alleged tax leak at big-four consultancy firm PwC are challenging.
Father ‘blindsided’ as police shot his mentally ill son
The father of a mentally ill man fatally gunned down by police on the NSW mid-north coast has said "Blind Freddy" could have foreseen the deadly tragedy.
Seatbelt laws back in spotlight after deadly bus crash
The deadly NSW bus crash has rekindled debate about seatbelt laws and a national approach to compliance.
Police body cameras not used in fatal siege shooting
Specialist police had access to body worn cameras but they were not used when a man was fatally shot dead in far north Queensland.
Queensland police banned from using ‘sleeper’ chokehold
A Queensland Police decision to ban a controversial chokehold often applied during difficult arrests has been challenged by union officials.
Man shot dead after allegedly stabbing cops
Police have shot and killed a man after he allegedly stabbed two constables during a scuffle in central Newcastle, leaving the officers with serious injuries.
WA to launch mobile road safety cameras after trial
Six cutting edge mobile point-to-point road safety cameras will be rolled out in Western Australia following a six month trial of their use.
NSW appeals $1.5m awarded to former Tyrrell suspect
NSW has appealed a court decision awarding $1.5 million to Bill Spedding who was maliciously prosecuted by police investigating William Tyrrell's disappearance.
Qld youth justice reforms ‘would cause more crime’
Top Queensland legal bodies have criticised the lack of consultation on the Palaszczuk government's youth justice bill, saying it's likely to cause more crime.