Smoking was banned in all but designated smoking areas in Queensland corrective services facilities six years ago, but in a decision made last year those designated areas will be done away with in a few weeks. A total ban on smoking will become effective from 5...
In the latest Sydney Law Review, Andrew Trotter and Harry Hobbs have written an article entitled “The Great Leap Backward: Criminal Law Reform with the Hon. Jarrod Bleijie”. The 38-page article provides historical background to many of the legal principles that have been abrogated or diminished...
Brett Peter Cowan has lodged an appeal against his murder conviction. Last Wednesday afternoon, Tim Meehan of Bosscher Lawyers filed the notice of appeal in Brisbane. The notice lists six grounds of appeal, including the admission of the recordings of Cowan's confessions, instructions to the jury in...
This week saw the introduction of new laws targeted at both cyclists and motorists in an effort to make out roads safer for both. The new laws include a requirement on motorists to allow a metre between themselves and a cyclist when passing them in a...
Fines and penalties that rely on the state penalty unit system will now be indexed yearly, with a default rate of change of 3.5%. Previously penalty unit changes have been both sporadic and whimsical, in the last 14 years, penalty unit rates have only been increased...
Nightlife violence has been a hot issue for some time now. In January, New South Wales introduced a mandatory eight-year prison term who anyone who fatally punches another whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It also included other efforts to curb violence, such...