News and Events

A senate inquiry set up in 2019 to look at wage theft after a string of high-profile cases, has concluded that unlawful underpayment of employees in Australia is systemic, sustained and shameful.

Chantelle Zentveld, 17, was thrilled when she got an after-school job at the fast-food franchise Subway, but she soon suspected she was being underpaid.

In November 2021 the NSW Ombudsman released a report revealing Revenue NSW used automated systems to unlawfully and forcibly collect debt from disadvantaged and financially vulnerable people since January 2016.

A coalition of 33 legal organisations including RLC have signed an open letter, calling on NSW finance minister Damien Tudehope to introduce a four-month pause on enforcement action on COVID fines, to support people already experiencing vulnerabiliy.

Western Sydney is technically in recession and will struggle to recover from the recent lockdowns, new data suggests. Samantha Lee says over-policing and tough LGA restrictions have contributed to layers of inequality.

Consumer advocates say they have many concerns over proposed updates to the Life Insurance Code of Practice in a joint submission to the Financial Services Council (FSC).

Data obtained by RLC reveals that the majority of people issued with a $1000 COVID-19 fine in NSW have not paid, or can’t afford to pay, leading to calls for a means-tested system and review of police conduct. Anna Patty reports for the Sydney Morning Herald.

A good escape plan can protect individuals from being further abused financially after they break free. Ellen Whinnett and Anthony Keane report for Newscorp

Advocates fear the federal government plan to wind back responsible lending laws will “perpetuate abuse” of domestic violence survivors, potentially locking them into poverty and even physical harm. Matthew Elmas and Josh Butler report for The New Daily

RLC employment lawyer, Sharmilla Bargon discusses sexual harassment at work, calling for a paradigm shift that holds employers, not victims, to account. SBS The Feed reports.