News and Events

Young men from poor suburbs and towns with high Aboriginal or immigrant populations were more likely to be fined for breaking the lockdown rules designed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Caitlin Fitzsimmons and Nigel Gladstone report for the Sun Herald / Sydney Morning Herald.

New data reveals Indigenous people in NSW regional communities are excessively targeted with “invasive” police strip searches. Mikele Syron reports for NITV News

Thousands of international students say they are unable to pay for food or rent after losing their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, and many fear they will run out of money soon. Anna Patty reports for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Ella, whose real name cannot be used for legal reasons, is still paying off $60 000 in debt piled on her by her former partner more than three years after she escaped the abusive relationship. Lucy Cormack reports for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Festival drug users being fined has saved the criminal justice system nearly $200,000 but experts say the scheme could be unfair to those in disadvantaged circumstances. Laura Chung reports for The Sydney Morning Herald.

An internal review examining the use of police Body Worn Video (BWV) in NSW has concluded police should retain discretion about when to activate their BWV cameras, citing privacy concerns. But RLC solicitor Samantha Lee says that it is in everyone's interest that all police interactions with the public are recorded. Damien Carrick reports for the Law Report, ABC Radio National.

In August, ABC Radio National aired highlights from an online discussion calling for policing and justice reform in Australia, in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Facilitated by Larissa Behrendt (UTS). Broadcast by Speaking Out, ABC Radio National.

A review of video cameras worn by police has been released by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

Economic abuse is really pervasive where family violence is present," said Alison Macdonald, the CEO Of Domestic Violence Victoria.

NSW Police will continue to allow its officers to choose when to activate body-worn video (BWV) cameras and when not to, despite calls from the legal profession to require that the devices be activated whenever powers are exercised. Justin Hendry reports for iTNews