News and Events

Redfern Legal Centre and Slater and Gordon | Joint Media Release 27 May 2020 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSW Police have been accused of using bike fines as a "hidden justice system" to enable searches of poor and vulnerable people, with new data obtained under freedom of information laws showing penalties are soaring in some suburbs while others have none. Nigel Gladstone reports for The Sydney Morning Herald

With over a thousand now imposed statewide, the controversial COVID-19 infringement notices that NSW police has been issuing since 26 March are some of the steepest on-the-spot fines available to it. Paul Gregoire reports for Sydney Criminal Lawyers

8 May 2020 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RLC's Samantha Lee was a guest on The Drum, speaking alongside journalist Osman Faruqi about concerns that a disproportionate number of COVID-19 fines appear to be being issued in lower socioeconomic areas. The Drum (21 April 2020).

RLC's statewide financial abuse service is maintaining free telephone advice during the pandemic, and we welcome referrals.

There are calls for more police data and accountability to monitor how authorities are enforcing the coronavirus restrictions in Australia. Jarni Blakkarly reports for SBS News

On April 6 2020, the Migrant Employment Legal Service (MELS) wrote to the Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Anne Ruston MP, to express concerns about the inability of vulnerable migrant workers to access welfare payments.

Guidance to NSW Police issuing COVID-19 public health fines must be made public and fines should not be issued to children to prevent people being further disadvantaged during the health crisis.

Police in New South Wales and Victoria have used new laws restricting public movement to fine more than 50 people for reasons including eating a kebab on a bench and sitting in a car. Max Opray reports for The Saturday Paper