News and Events

Latest NSW Police strip-search figures show that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people were still being subjected to strip searches, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and children disproportionately targeted.

Redfern Legal Centre says $20,000 in fines issued is ‘unjust’ and ‘sets children up for failure’

Australian Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay argues for a review of the human rights impacts of Australia’s COVID-19 response

First Nations Elders who may be eligible for ex-gratia payments under the Stolen Generations Reparation Scheme are encouraged to apply now.

NSW government suggestions that children as young as 10 could work off COVID fines have been described as “outrageous” and could be in breach of Australia’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child.

COVID fines issued to children could breach Australia’s obligations under international law, says UNSW Law academic.

More than 3800 children aged between 10-17 were issued fines of up to $5000 for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

Children in the western Sydney suburbs of Blacktown, Parramatta and Liverpool were the most likely to be fined for breaching COVID-19 rules, receiving multitudes more infringements than comparable centres around the city.

As NSW continues to emerge from the pandemic, and the Government focuses on a return to “business as usual”, thousands of people across the state are still saddled with debt from fines.

Hundreds of kids have had to work off their COVID-related fines, after ongoing criticism of the penalties being issued by NSW Police in the first place.