Plugged in: watchdogs weigh up laws for uncertain times
Australian consumers are facing 'volatile' conditions, a regulator has warned, and may need stronger protections against harm.
laws
Appeal reverses teen killer’s ‘heartbreaking’ reduction
The widower of a woman murdered by a knife-wielding teen says it will be nice to finally focus on the future after the High Court ended a long legal ordeal.
Rival plan to close Labor’s ‘widow tax’ loophole sooner
Australians who inherit an investment property from their partner won't lose their access to negative gearing, draft laws revealed by the treasurer confirm.
Debate over expanded Daniel’s Law child safety proposal
The parents of a teenager who was murdered by a pedophile want the public to have greater access to information about child sex offenders.
Electric car tax looms for one state unless PM steps in
One state is prepared to charge ahead with a tax on electric vehicle drivers unless the federal government introduces a national scheme.
Contentious hate speech laws face High Court challenge
Pro-Palestine protesters are taking a state's new hate speech laws to the High Court, arguing a ban on two slogans unlawfully criminalises political speech.
Renewable energy projects must power data centre boom
Australia's growing number of large-scale data centres must be powered by renewable energy, groups say, or they risk raising power prices for all users.
Labor backs telehealth for voluntary assisted dying
Labor says legal barriers preventing telehealth use in voluntary assisted dying should be removed, as it also resolves to allow a conscience vote on the issue.
‘Viscerally sick’: child protection reforms under fire
A territory's child protection changes have been heavily criticised amid accusations a five-year-old Aboriginal girl's death has been politicised.
Pianist loses court battle, but fills concert halls
A pianist who lost a court fight against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is filling concert halls on his own independent tour.
‘Quicksand of crime’: new youth bail law under fire
A state government's latest youth justice reform has come under fire, with critics saying it will ensure kids remain in the "quicksand of crime".
Heat on drug-drive laws as study finds cannabis misuse
Reforms that would allow drivers in NSW to get behind the wheel with small amounts of cannabis in their system are facing strong criticism on safety grounds.
‘Zero tolerance’ in crackdown on drug, drink driving
The Queensland government has announced tougher penalties for high-risk, dangerous, drink and drug driving, including for medical cannabis users.
Beware AI cowboys: warning amid data centre stampede
The race to build data centres could come with a risk: "fly-by-night" operators with little concern for Australia's best interests.
civil rights
human rights
international law
judiciary (system of justice)
justice and rights
laws
parties and movements
politics
Labor considers landmark human rights law … again
Australia is the only advanced democracy without a human rights act or bill of rights - but Anthony Albanese's government isn't in a hurry to change that.
Double jeopardy: laws to be tested after new DNA found
Prosecutors are seeking to retry a man acquitted of rape after claiming forensic retesting uncovered new evidence following a state's DNA lab debacle.
Tick of approval for upping the volume at iconic venue
Australia's most powerful music aficionado has given the thumbs-up to increasing the volume and crowd capacity at the nation's most famous concert venue.
World-first for drivers who use medicinal cannabis
Thousands of medicinal cannabis users will be able to take the wheel without fear of losing their licence under groundbreaking reforms to drug driving laws.
Hope fades for national gun law reforms after Bondi
Most states have turned their back on nationally consistent gun law reforms spearheaded by the federal government in the aftermath of the Bondi massacre.
Watchdog seeks big penalty after Coles goes ‘Down Down’
The consumer watchdog will be seeking a "significant penalty" to act as a deterrent to Coles and others, after a court found the supermarket misled shoppers.
Aboriginal groups slam proposed child removal powers
Indigenous rights group believe proposed child safety reforms will "deepen an already devastating crisis" and portrays Aboriginal communities as dangerous.
Law loophole lament as accused paramedic stabber held
A man will remain behind bars charged with the attempted murder of a paramedic as politicians commit to changing laws for assaulting emergency workers.
‘Love over evil’: Port Arthur remembered 30 years on
Survivors of the Port Arthur massacre have shared their desire for strong gun control on the 30th anniversary of the horrific shooting.
Constitutional fight looms over banned protest chants
Police have made more arrests under controversial hate speech laws as pro-Palestinian protesters vow to mount a legal challenge after another defiant rally.
Revised donation laws vow after High Court ruling
The High Court has quashed state political donation restrictions in a ruling with wide-reaching implications, though a state government will push for change.
Roblox’s game-changing safety overhaul under scrutiny
The sweeping changes to the controversial gaming platform came after Communications Minister Anika Wells called for an urgent meeting.
Government under fire for ‘cherry-picking’ crime stats
Statistics show "adult crime, adult time" laws are turning the tide on youth offending, a state government says, as it's accused of cherry-picking data.
Critics slam ‘ham-fisted’ plan to crack down on e-bikes
Critics have blasted nationwide moves to clamp down on e‑scooters and e‑bikes through tough legislative reforms, dismissing them as "ham-fisted".
‘Police state’: hate speech laws arrests spark anger
A government has been accused of overseeing an "authoritarian police state" after the Australia-first arrests of activists for reciting banned slogans.
Call to action to close gendered gaps in justice system
International Women's Day is being marked as a call to balance the scales and ensure all women and girls have fair and inclusive access to justice.
Anti-Semitism laws banning chants draws mixed reaction
Critics have slammed new laws designed to combat anti-Semitism as overreach, but a last-minute change reduces a minister's extraordinary powers.