News and Events

RLC in the media

Australia's NSW withdraws 33,000 COVID-19 fines

Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, is scrapping just under half of its COVID-related fines. The move comes after a court looked into three cases and found offenses were described too vaguely.

7 December 2022

A close up of a hand holding a bill that reads pay now in large blue type

RLC in the media

How one man who refused to pay $1,000 for sitting in a park with his girlfriend during Covid lockdowns helped overturn more than 33,000 similar fines in a David and Goliath court case

Rohan Pank was fined for sitting in a Sydney park during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Mr Pank was joined by two other Sydneysiders who received Covid penalties. Their fines were declared invalid on Tuesday and 33,121 more were withdrawn.

7 December 2022

News

Redfern Legal Centre test case finds COVID-19 fines invalid – what does this mean for me?

Revenue NSW has conceded that many COVID-19 fines are invalid. But what does that mean for the rest of the community who may have received or paid fines?

30 November 2022

A closeup of a thumb holding a fines notice that says is large blue capital letters: "Pay Now"

Media releases

Media Release: State Concedes Covid Fines Are Invalid

NSW Supreme Court the State of New South Wales conceded that the COVID-19 fines issued to the three plaintiffs are invalid and fail to meet the legal requirements under the Fines Act (NSW).

29 November 2022

RLC in the media

Fines commissioner concedes that COVID fines in Supreme Court test case are invalid

The NSW government has conceded that two COVID-19 fines being challenged in a Supreme Court test case are invalid, opening the door for more than 30,000 other people to have fines worth $30 million cancelled.

29 November 2022

RLC in the media

Dobbing became ‘Australia’s favourite pastime’ during Covid

From “illegal” birthday parties to suspicious fast-food orders, Aussies picked up a very unusual pastime during the Covid pandemic.

21 November 2022

RLC in the media

NSW needs to address coercive control, but this rushed law is not the way to do it

This criminal offence could end up retraumatising victim survivors and criminalising people who are most in need of protection, say RLC's Gayatri Nair.

3 November 2022

a woman silhouetted at a window in a home

News

Open letter: Respect @ Work law reform Bill does not go far enough

A coalition of community legal centres including RLC has sent an open letter to government calling for improvements to a proposed discrimination law Bill.

31 October 2022

Male and female gender symbols interlinked, covered by words relevant to the #MeToo movement, e.g. "equality" and "victimisation"

News

Concerns raised about Coercive Control Bill

Domestic and family violence advocates have raised concerns about the lack of consultation around the criminalisation of coercive control.

13 October 2022

Domestic Violence and Financial Abuse thumbnail - Woman holding palm out

News

RLC welcomes government action on workplace sexual harassment

In September, recommendations were tabled in parliament to make changes to sexual harassment laws.

28 September 2022

News and Events

News & media

Topics

Australia's NSW withdraws 33,000 COVID-19 fines

How one man who refused to pay $1,000 for sitting in a park with his girlfriend during Covid lockdowns helped overturn more than 33,000 similar fines in a David and Goliath court case

Redfern Legal Centre test case finds COVID-19 fines invalid – what does this mean for me?

Media Release: State Concedes Covid Fines Are Invalid

Fines commissioner concedes that COVID fines in Supreme Court test case are invalid

Dobbing became ‘Australia’s favourite pastime’ during Covid

NSW needs to address coercive control, but this rushed law is not the way to do it

Open letter: Respect @ Work law reform Bill does not go far enough

Concerns raised about Coercive Control Bill

RLC welcomes government action on workplace sexual harassment

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