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.
punishment
State doomed to ‘repeat’ deaths with harsher bail laws
Laws to tighten the granting of bail for children and repeat serious offenders have been criticised as knee-jerk by some legal and Aboriginal groups.
Aust-first machete ban more ‘political optics’ than fix
A state government has promised to rapidly roll out an Australian-first machete ban but is copping criticism for its past opposition.
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.
Judge who assaulted ex-partner avoids jail sentence
A Tasmanian judge has been ordered to serve 100 hours of community service after being found guilty of assaulting and emotionally abusing a woman.
‘Postcard Bandit’ in legal bid for freedom from WA jail
The bank robber dubbed 'the Postcard Bandit' has launched legal proceedings in WA, asking a court to declare his prison sentence invalid and order his release.
Former Fiji PM Bainimarama sentenced to year in jail
After initially being spared jail, former Fijian leader Frank Bainimarama has been handed a one-year term for perverting the course of justice.
‘None of them asked for this’: keeping kids out of jail
The case of a boy acquitted of robbery charges has been used as an example of a youth crime crisis. But experts agree jail should be the last resort for kids.
Teenage criminals to wear ankle bracelets under trial
Electronic monitors will alert police if teenagers charged with serious crimes don't follow their bail conditions as part of a new trial in Victoria.
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.
Alabama ‘proves’ nitrogen asphyxiation execution
Kenneth Smith writhed and shook as he died from nitrogen asphyxiation, the first death row inmate to undergo the controversial new execution method.
Indigenous kids over-represented in juvenile detention
Indigenous kids are grossly over-represented in juvenile detention and while reducing the numbers is a Closing the Gap target, the figures are getting worse.
Two charged with attempted murder over tomahawk attack
Two teenagers have been charged with attempted murder three weeks after a tomahawk attack on a 68-year-old man west of Brisbane.
Attempted murder charges for men on alleged crime spree
Two men will face court charged with attempted murder after being accused of using weapons including a tomahawk and an axe during a three-week crime spree.
‘I can’t breathe’: family demands spit hood ban
Before she died in custody Selesa Tafaifa was pleading for her asthma medication and crying out 'I can't breathe', an inquest into her death heard.
How to make a criminal: send a child to youth detention
Advocates say early intervention is the key to addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the youth justice system.
Bail reforms set to keep more Victorians out of jail
The Victorian government will introduce long-awaited reforms to make it easier for low-level offenders to get bail and cut down on people on remand.
Inquiry called for youth detainee transfers to Don Dale
An inquiry has been launched into the transfer of youth to a detention centre where a past royal commission found evidence Aboriginal children were mistreated.
‘Egregious breach’: Teen’s sentence cut after isolation
An Aboriginal teen who spent more than two years on remand in a Queensland youth detention centre was in solitary confinement for much of that 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.
Veteran paroled early for treatment after assaults
A judge has released a defence veteran on parole four months early so he can get mental health treatment after he admitted violent offences against his partner.
UN torture prevention committee cancels Australia visit
A UN committee for the prevention of torture has cancelled previously delayed plans to visit Australia over concerns about restricted access to facilities.
Report shows rise in deaths in custody
The Australian Institute of Criminology has released new data showing 106 people died in custody in 2021/22, 23 more than last year.
UN pushes for Australian smacking ban
A United Nations committee has condemned Australians' use of corporal punishment, directing the country to ban it in all settings including the home.
Finch spared jail after cocaine ‘spiral’
Former NRL player Brett Finch has been convicted on child abuse charges but will avoid prison due to the "exceptional circumstances" of his offending.
Vic Crown Casino slapped with $120m fines
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission has hit Crown Melbourne with two fines totalling $120 million for breaches of its service obligations.
Finch ‘disgusted’ by his abuse messages
Former NSW state of origin star Brett Finch says he's ashamed at sending child abuse messages in a desperate bid to obtain cocaine, a court has heard.
Suu Kyi, Turnell get three-year jail terms
A court in military-ruled Myanmar has handed jail terms to former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Australian economist Sean Turnell.
Brisbane drunk driver jailed for nine years after fatal head-on crash
A woman was up to six times over the legal blood alcohol limit when she killed a grandmother in a head-on collision north of Brisbane, a court has been told.
Qld kids charity founder avoids prison
The founder of a charity that helped vulnerable children who has become a social media hit has received a suspended jail term for multiple drug offences.
More jail time for Myanmar’s Suu Kyi
Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to four years in jail for possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies and other offences.