News and Events

A group of Sydney music fans “subjected to humiliating strip searches” and then refused entry to two recent music festivals despite not carrying any drugs are considering legal action against the NSW Police Force. RLC’s police powers solicitor Sam Lee speaks to Tyron Butson at SBS News.

The federal government has heard evidence for the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry that showcased the heavy malpractice of financial services such as banks and insurance companies in capitalising on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders fear of financial instability.

Did you know that the Redfern Legal Centre operates out of RPA hospital two days a week? This is the first hospital-based health/justice partnership in NSW and has proven popular among patients and staff.

On Wednesday 1 August, the NSW Attorney announced new funding and other measures to support community legal centres across NSW. During the announcment, held at Redfern Legal Centre and co-hosted with Community Legal Centres NSW, a former RLC client Rachael Natoli shared her story about escaping financial abuse. Article by Michaela Whitbourn, Sydney Morning Herald

Lanie Tindale from Inner West Independent speaks to Nicole Kennedy, tenancy coordinator at Redfern Legal Centre about the housing instability tenants on Leichardt’s William St.

In light of the NSW government’s decision not to abolish ‘no grounds’ evictions as part of upcoming rental reforms, RLC’s Tenancy Coordinator, Nicole Kennedy spoke to Eastside Radio 89.7 FM about how these laws impact tenants.

Loopholes in the law for university-affiliated housing providers are leaving international students wide open to exploitation, says RLC International Student Solicitor, Sean Stimson. SBS speaks to a former client of RLC, whose university enrolment was put at risk because of a dispute about a fee owed to his housing provider. Jarni Blakkarly and Leesha McKenny report for SBS News.

Despite a crackdown on illegal boarding houses, a lack of affordable housing continues to force many international students into exploitative, sometimes illegal living arrangements.

RLC and Community Legal Centres NSW have successfully lobbied to get key reforms introduced to the State Debt Recovery Bill 2017, offering additional protections for people experiencing hardship.

RLC's police powers solicitor Sophie Parker speaks to the Guardian about a new report from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (the LECC), which raises serious questions about whether the LECC has the capacity to properly oversee the conduct of the NSW police force (NSWPF).