Tough on crime ‘myth’ won’t stop youth offending
Young offenders should be rehabilitated and supported to get out of the criminal justice system instead of facing tougher penalties, experts say.
laws
Teen remains in custody after supermarket stabbing
A teenage boy will stay in custody until his next court appearance on an attempted murder charge after he allegedly stabbed a supermarket worker in the back.
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.
All ahead AI: fresh risk, different rules, new features
Generative AI tools have already changed the way Australians work, communicate and study. Experts say more changes are coming in 2025.
‘Disgraceful’: NRL star’s penalty may spark law changes
The Queensland government has described Brisbane NRL star Ezra Mam's penalty for drug driving as "disgraceful" and will now consider law changes.
Youth offenders now face ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws
A controversial "adult crime, adult time" election pledge has become law after tough youth justice legislation was passed in Queensland parliament.
Jewish community reels after ‘cowardly’ graffiti attack
Australia has been diminished as a nation by graffiti and a car fire the prime minister says was aimed at delivering fear to the Jewish community.
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.
Crime-hit city businesses embrace youth justice laws
A city reeling from crime backs controversial youth justice laws, saying juvenile offences have contributed to business closures and tarnished its reputation.
Rush to pass social media ban angers experts, MPs
As parliament prepares to stop people younger than 16 using social media, the government has been accused of trying to ram through the laws without scrutiny.
Youth detainees abused in care to share $75m settlement
More than 100 former detainees at a notoriously troubled youth detention centre have had a $75 million payout approved for alleged abuses over 63 years.
Housing policies at lock-up stage with Greens support
Labor has had a breakthrough on its stalled housing agenda after securing Greens support for a federal shared-equity scheme and build-to-rent policies.
Beefed-up hate laws won’t touch religious free pass
With social cohesion under strain, one Australian state is trumpeting tougher hate laws and penalties but will keep exceptions for "genuine" religious beliefs.
Workplace protections from sex offenders needed: report
A report has called for law changes to provide better protection from sex offenders for children working alongside adults across the nation.
Expansive migration laws to deport, ban entry imminent
A trio of migration bills with sweeping government powers is set to be passed after the coalition backed the amendments amid mounting criticisms of overreach.
Australia needs an AI law to stop copyright ‘pirates’
Artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots from Google, Amazon and OpenAI, need to be regulated by law in Australia, an inquiry recommends.
Human rights commissioner slams new youth crime laws
The Queensland government has been accused of "plumbing the depths" by pushing through laws that will ensure children face harsher penalties for serious crimes.
Deportation, travel ban and dogs in detention laws pass
Three migration bills giving the government extensive powers to deport non-citizens and bar entry to Australia for some nationalities have passed the Senate.
Tech giant concern as social media ban passes
The parent company for Facebook has hit out at a looming ban on under 16s for social media, labelling the process as rushed.
Why your words and photos might already be training AI
More tech companies are introducing AI features to their services, and authors and experts warn it can be hard – if not impossible – to opt out.
Migration furore treats foreign students as ‘problems’
As the federal opposition prepares to reveal plans to cap international students, the political debate has left many foreign students feeling unwanted.
Independents up in arms over ‘rigged’ donations reforms
The major political parties have been slammed for "rigging" the system to boost their chances of winning, after agreeing on a political donations reform bills.
Social media ban ‘unenforceable’, experts say
Keeping Australian children under 16 off social media will be unenforceable and tech giants should not be tasked with age verification, experts say.
Baby Shark won’t bite: YouTube entertainers issue plea
Prominent Australian children's entertainers are urging the federal government to pardon YouTube from its proposed social media ban to save an industry.
Truth-telling in limbo after minister cancels meeting
The Queensland government has postponed plans to discuss the Path to Treaty process, ensuring a truth-telling and healing inquiry's future is in limbo.
What the US election tells us about deepfake politics
Australian MPs are weighing how to curtail deepfake election advertisements, but a prominent artificial intelligence expert says a ban might be unnecessary.
Ban on landlords evicting tenants for no good reason
Tenants would no longer be evicted without a valid reason and face softer penalties for breaking leases in reforms aimed at making life easier for renters.
Read null about it: privacy changes could bury news
Changes to Australian privacy laws could open an avenue for powerful people to shut down news coverage, a group has told a Senate inquiry.
Adults only: online codes to limit porn, gaming access
Australian internet users will have their age tested before they can access some gaming and pornographic websites under wide-ranging online safety proposals.
Deepfake images harming Aussie kids and businesses
Australia is being warned to bring in urgent laws and education to tackle AI-generated deepfake images that put companies and children at risk.
Australian-first Airbnb bookings tax clears last hurdle
Holidaymakers will soon have to pay an extra 7.5 per cent fee on Airbnb and Stayz bookings under an Australian-first levy ticked off by Victorian parliament.