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".
laws
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.
Queensland on the front foot against sex discrimination
A legal requirement to take steps to eliminate sex discrimination and harassment has the Queensland government's support as it flags law reform.
Tasmania follows Victoria in push to ban Nazi salute
The Tasmanian government has announced it will pursue laws to ban the Nazi salute after an anti-transgender rally in Melbourne caused outrage.
crime, law and justice
human rights
indigenous people
judiciary (system of justice)
justice and rights
juvenile delinquency
laws
police
politics (general)
prisoners and detainees
social issues (general)
Queensland passes controversial youth justice laws
The Queensland parliament has passed laws that criminalise bail breaches for children and allow courts to fit 15-year-olds with GPS trackers.
New laws target illicit tobacco and vapes sold to kids
Laws creating a new tobacco licensing scheme, expansion of smoke-free areas and greater clarity on how rules apply to vaping have been flagged for Queensland.
Human rights commission unveils proposed federal act
Governments would have to consider 28 human rights in their decisions under a landmark proposal by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Revolving door risk in tougher bail for young offenders
Proposed laws that would likely put Queensland children in detention may increase the risk of reoffending and not improve safety, an inquiry has been told.
crime, law and justice
human rights
indigenous people
justice and rights
juvenile delinquency
laws
politics (general)
social issues (general)
North Qld mayors urge holistic approach to youth crime
A Far North Queensland mayor says children as young as eight are out late at night because they're unsafe at home as the state weighs harsher youth laws.
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.
Journalists withhold information over defamation fears
A survey of Australian journalists shows that just under half have withheld information because of concerns over possible legal action.
Queensland lays groundwork to outlaw coercive control
Queensland has changed the definition of domestic violence to include patterns of behaviour over time ahead of plans to criminalise coercive control.
New laws prep Queensland for coercive control offence
The Queensland government is preparing to introduce a standalone coercive control criminal offence as updated domestic and family violence laws pass parliament.
Parking loophole closed to stop ‘predatory companies’
The Queensland government will close a loophole allowing the release of vehicle registration information to private parking operators.
WA to ban display of Nazi symbols
The display and possession of Nazi symbols is set to be decriminalised in Western Australia, with some exceptions.
Law reform in focus after police shooting
As the government weighs up the implications of the brutal deaths of two Queensland police officers, the federal opposition has likened the attack to terrorism.
Controversial Australia Day rule abandoned
The prime minister denies a decision to scrap rules requiring councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 is part of a plan to change Australia Day.
Higgins speaks about court impact
Brittany Higgins has highlighted the impact the criminal justice system has on people who come forward with sexual assault complaints.
Gender fix for Qld birth certificates
New laws will make it easier for people to have their gender accurately shown on Queensland legal documents without undergoing sexual reassignment surgery.
Territories given euthanasia voting rights
Parliament has repealed laws preventing the ACT and Northern Territory from legislating on voluntary assisted dying.
Qld to review sex offender detention law
A Queensland law allowing the indefinite detention or community supervision of sex offenders after they've served their sentences is set to be reviewed.
Anti-corruption laws pass first hurdle
Laws for a proposed national anti-corruption commission have been passed by parliament's lower house, despite issues raised by crossbenchers.
Worry brews over Qld mine objection review
Environmental groups are concerned that a review of mining objections processes in Queensland could mean a smaller role for the state's Land Court.
First workplace manslaughter charge in Vic
Victoria's work safety regulator has charged a stonemason business director with workplace manslaughter in a first for the state.
Qld mining lobby applauds govt backflip
Proposed Queensland laws will make it easier for communities to object to mines, but existing mines won't be subject to modern environmental rules.
Watchdog seeks Vic election spending cap
In the shadow of the state election, Victoria's integrity watchdog has called for campaign spending to be capped as part of proposed reforms.
Child sex crime duty-of-care reform push
An alleged victim of historical acts of sexual assault will meet with Queensland's Attorney General in a push for reform to ensure a proper police response.