News and Events

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 issued 501 fines to children under 15 in past year for not wearing or carrying mask

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

22 August 2022

Child holds out hand containing silver and gold coins

RLC in the media

Human rights can’t be left at mercy of emergency orders

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

9 August 2022

Old man wearing mask pushing a trolley down a street

News

COVID fines issued to children could breach international law

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.

4 August 2022

Group of officers wearing yellow and blue hi vis gear which reads 'Police' on back

RLC in the media

University Of New South Wales: NSW COVID fines on kids could breach international law

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

4 August 2022

RLC in the media

Hundreds of NSW children may have undertaken unpaid work to pay off COVID-19 fines

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

2 August 2022

RLC in the media

The Sydney suburbs where the most children received COVID-19 fines

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.

29 July 2022

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

RLC in the media

Pandemic policing: The impact of COVID-19 fines on the justice system

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.

27 July 2022

RLC in the media

Kids As Young As 10 Years Old Have Been Working Off COVID Fines In NSW

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.

26 July 2022

RLC in the media

Hundreds of NSW children paid off COVID-19 fines through ‘work orders’

Police have slapped NSW children with nearly 4000 fines for breaching COVID-19 rules during the pandemic, hundreds of which are being “worked off” through community work or mentoring and counselling programs.

25 July 2022

News and Events

News & media

Topics

Dobbing became ‘Australia’s favourite pastime’ during Covid

NSW issued 501 fines to children under 15 in past year for not wearing or carrying mask

Human rights can’t be left at mercy of emergency orders

COVID fines issued to children could breach international law

University Of New South Wales: NSW COVID fines on kids could breach international law

Hundreds of NSW children may have undertaken unpaid work to pay off COVID-19 fines

The Sydney suburbs where the most children received COVID-19 fines

Pandemic policing: The impact of COVID-19 fines on the justice system

Kids As Young As 10 Years Old Have Been Working Off COVID Fines In NSW

Hundreds of NSW children paid off COVID-19 fines through ‘work orders’

Newsletter signup