News and Events

International students have long been an integral part of Australian communities in major cities and university towns across the nation, however they have been left in a precarious situation as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Paul Gregoire reports for Sydney Criminal Lawyers

RLC's statewide financial abuse service is maintaining free telephone advice during the pandemic, and we welcome referrals.

Several unfair coronavirus fines have already been revoked, and lawyers say people can and should appeal penalties they think are unfair. Josh Butler reports for 10 Daily

On 13 April, the NSW Government announced a six-month moratorium on evictions for tenants in financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

There are calls for more police data and accountability to monitor how authorities are enforcing the coronavirus restrictions in Australia. Jarni Blakkarly reports for SBS News

On April 6 2020, the Migrant Employment Legal Service (MELS) wrote to the Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Anne Ruston MP, to express concerns about the inability of vulnerable migrant workers to access welfare payments.

Two of the 151 fines relating to COVID-19 issued so far by NSW Police have been handed out in Waverly, which has the highest number of confirmed cases in the state and where crowded beaches have previously drawn strong criticism. Pallavi Singhal and Laura Chung report for the Sydney Morning Herald

On 24 March, Redfern Legal Centre wrote to the NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, calling for urgent support for NSW tenants during the coronavirus pandemic.

Justice advocates are concerned that police crackdowns to tackle the public health emergency will disproportionately affect vulnerable people. Michael McGowan and Ben Smee report for the Guardian Australia

Police in New South Wales and Victoria have used new laws restricting public movement to fine more than 50 people for reasons including eating a kebab on a bench and sitting in a car. Max Opray reports for The Saturday Paper