Last state opens door to dignified death laws
A sombre celebration will be held by voluntary assisted dying campaigners as NSW becomes the last state to enact the powers for terminally ill people.
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Calls to shut down ‘scam’ sovereign citizen websites
A former NSW magistrate has called for people making money from pseudo-legal "sovereign citizen" claims to be prosecuted as frauds.
Opposition backs age verification for pornography
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has backed calls to implement age verification for viewing pornographic material online.
Tough new migration bill passes parliament
Fast-tracked laws subjecting criminals released from immigration detention to ankle tracking and curfews have passed federal parliament.
Laws targeting dangerous dogs to be introduced in Qld
Five dog breeds are expected to be banned and owners held criminally responsible for attacks under legislation to be tabled in Queensland parliament.
Queensland to make coercive control standalone offence
Three years after Hannah Clarke's death, laws to make coercive control a stand-alone offence have been introduced to Queensland's parliament.
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Big users bankroll new power to offset carbon footprint
Mining companies are among big energy users bankrolling wind farms and other renewable energy projects to offset carbon emissions.
Accused rapists to be named after state changes old law
Identity protections for people charged with serious sexual offences in Queensland have been scrapped after changes passed state parliament.
Cosmetic cowboys face fines with new surgeon laws
Strict protections over the title "surgeon" have been passed by Queensland's parliament to crack down on doctors falsely advertising qualified cosmetic surgery
Qld govt defends youth crime laws after ex-judge’s plea
The Palaszczuk government has defended its watch house laws after a former top appeals judge called for an end to "the race to the bottom" on youth crime.
Human rights fury over bid to amend Youth Justice Act
A last-minute announcement of planned legislative amendments to the Youth Justice Act have outraged opposition parties in Queensland.
Frustrated youth crime victims march on Qld parliament
The Queensland government has met angry victims of crime after protesters marched on parliament demanding zero tolerance towards youth crime.
Qantas rejects lawsuit over COVID-19 travel credits
A class action lawsuit filed against the national carrier, Qantas, alleges it misled customers and failed to issue refunds for flights cancelled in 2020.
Laws to stop ‘idiotic hooning’ on menacing petrol bikes
Petrol-powered bicycles are likely to be banned in Tasmania with serious injuries behind a government push to outlaw hoons on wheels.
Tasmania trashed as ‘Australia’s most secretive state’
Tasmania has the highest rate of freedom of information refusals in the nation and average review request wait times have tripled in five years, analysis shows.
NSW equality legislation set to make queer life easier
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has introduced equality legislation, saying NSW has fallen behind other states and territories when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights.
South Australian pet owners set for rental rights boost
The South Australian government has unveiled rental reforms to ban landlords from unreasonably refusing a tenant's request to keep a pet.
Father’s Port Arthur grief shaped Australian history
Letters between a grieving father and the prime minister that proved pivotal in Australia's modern history will go on display at the national museum.
‘Well and truly time’ to make symbols of hate a crime
People who display Nazi insignia or the Islamic State flag could face prison time as part of proposed reforms to Australia's criminal code.
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.
Jewish groups welcome federal ban on Nazi symbols
Nazi symbols will be banned from being publicly displayed under tough new federal laws, with those found guilty facing jail time.
Jubilation as free Folbigg walks ‘into the sunshine’
Supporters of Kathleen Folbigg say justice has been done, with her pardon and release following two decades in jail over the deaths of her four children.
Court throws out evidence from ‘illegal’ traffic stop
A Supreme Court judge has accused senior police of instructing officers to misuse their powers to search vehicles without reasonable suspicion or a warrant.
Porter Davis collapse paves way for builder crackdown
Construction firms would be charged with failing to arrange insurance for customers under Victorian law changes prompted by the Porter Davis collapse.
Stories to be told as Queensland ponders path to treaty
Broad support has been expressed for legislation to shape future agreements between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the state of Queensland.
Queensland charts a path to making sex work legal
Sex work would be decriminalised in Queensland under a review recommending a major overhaul as the government seeks to bring the sector "out of the dark".
Qld government charts path to making sex work legal
Sex work would be decriminalised in Queensland under a review recommending a major overhaul as the government seeks to bring the sector "out of the dark".
Porter Davis owners stuck in never ending nightmare
Families impacted by the collapse of builder Porter Davis have staged a protest calling for state and federal governments to intervene to help them.
Public drunkenness decriminalised on Melbourne Cup day
Victoria will move to decriminalise public intoxication from November, with services to provide a health-based response instead of a criminal justice one.
Near-finished Porter Davis homes will be completed
Porter Davis liquidators have been working to find solutions for staff and clients since the home building company collapsed a week ago.
Premier backs call to not bail out beleaguered builder
Authorities are probing whether one of Australia's largest home builders illegally took deposits from customers before securing their insurance policies.