RLC in the media

More than 7000 people have applied to Revenue NSW to overturn a COVID-19 fine but only one in 10 appeals were successful, a new freedom of information request obtained by RLC has revealed. 

Western Sydney is technically in recession and will struggle to recover from the recent lockdowns, new data suggests. Samantha Lee says over-policing and tough LGA restrictions have contributed to layers of inequality.

The latest statistics from Revenue NSW reveal that in July and August more than 28,000 COVID fines were issued, whihc is 13 times the number of fines issued during the whole of last year.

The massive NSW Police enforcement effort that kicked off on August 16 has resulted in nearly 22,000 fines for breaches of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Caitlin Fitzsimmons reports for Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney’s Redfern Legal Centre has called on the NSW government to revoke COVID-19 fines that it says have been issued incorrectly to people undertaking lawful recreation. Stephen Clark reports for National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS)

Redfern Legal Centre is calling on the NSW government to revoke all COVID-19 fines it claims were issued incorrectly to people "undertaking lawful recreation". ABC Breakfast News

Ensuring compliance with public health orders must not be done with the overuse of fines in south-western Sydney, Redfern Legal Centre has warned.

Data obtained by RLC reveals that the majority of people issued with a $1000 COVID-19 fine in NSW have not paid, or can’t afford to pay, leading to calls for a means-tested system and review of police conduct. Anna Patty reports for the Sydney Morning Herald.

New figures released by the Redfern Legal Centre (RLC) via freedom of information laws revealed that in the past year, NSW Police have continued to strip search dozens of children. This is despite public demands to cease and desist, and three official inquiries in late 2019 condemning the practice. Alec Smart reports for Sydney Sentinel.

In the past year, NSW police officers have strip-searched 96 children and more than 20 percent of them were Indigenous.