The Queensland Courts acknowledge several Domestic Violence prevention programs, one of which is the Men’s Domestic Violence Education and Intervention Program. This collaborative initiative involves a partnership with the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast and Queensland Corrective Services, often with a representative situated at the Southport Magistrate Court on the same floor as the […]

With the advent of new laws on October 3, 2023, allowing for the public identification of individuals charged with offenses such as rape, sexual assault, attempted rape, and assault with intent to commit rape prior to trial, a significant paradigm shift in legal protocols has arisen. The amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act […]

Coercive control is poised to be established as a distinct criminal offense in Queensland, as outlined in pioneering legislative proposals unveiled by the Palaszczuk government for implementation by 2024. Within the framework of these proposed laws, the government endeavours to proscribe the conduct of an adult meeting the following qualifications: the individual is involved in […]

On the 21st of October 2023 new laws were introduced in Victoria to ban the Nazi salute. There were already laws in place preventing the use of the Hakenkreuz (hooked cross Nazi symbol) these new laws now expand that to cover all symbols and gestures related to the Nazi group. A Melbourne man is the […]

Between 2022 and 2023 there has been a 12.7% increase in motorcycle/moped fatalities, and a 25.0% increase in bicycle rider fatalities. There has been a decrease in fatalities in car accidents when it comes to drivers and passengers, however, the overall number of deaths is still extremely high, sitting at a total of 1,119 deaths […]

Queensland has recently released their new digital licence app. This now means that you can have your identification on your phone through the app and do not need to carry physical ID. Queensland will continue to distribute physical identification as usual. Do I have to use a digital ID? No, the Queensland government has made […]

The State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) is a body that is responsible for the collection and enforcement of unpaid fines and penalties. If fines and penalties are not paid, they are referred to SPER. Or sometimes they are referred to SPER to allow payment plans. SPER Debt can start as any of the following: An […]

If there is suspicion that you have committed a sex crime, the police sometimes use tricks such as pretext calls, to try and get you to incriminate yourself. The pretext calls can occur the day after the incident, weeks, months, or even years afterwards. It all depends on when the alleged victim decides to come […]

On the 8th of November of this year, a referendum was held to add an Indigenous Voice into Parliament. It is Compulsory that all Australian citizens vote at all State and Federal level elections and referendums, this is set out in the Electoral Act, in legislation. Once you are 18 years old you must register […]

Since 2018, when Electric Scooters were first introduced in Australia, the states and territories have remained divided on the legality of electric scooters on public roads, and shared paths. The e-scooters are becoming a more popular mode of transport in metropolitan areas as in Brisbane almost a quarter (23.5%) of all e-scooter riders used them […]

A Northern Territory news reporter has been charged with impersonating a police officer. On the 17 October 2022 the news reporter attended a United Service Station in Holtze and allegedly impersonated a police officer in order to obtain a copy of CCTV footage from a recent incident that occurred at the Station. The attendant has […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice. The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer for […]

Queensland is facing its newest crime epidemic. There has been a 21% increase in the last year of knife crimes being committed by people between the ages of 10 to 21. This topic has sparked a heated discussion throughout Queensland with many advocating for mandatory sentencing laws for knife crimes to deter offenders. What is […]

A recent article in the Australian titled “Murders should take truth serum to reveal victims’ bodies say leading barristers” has sparked a debate whether the use of truth serum on prisoners convicted of murder to find the location of the bodies is ethical. Which side of the fence do you sit on? What is Truth […]

In a step to crack down on drug driving, roadside drug testing has been expanded to allow for the detection of cocaine. The roadside saliva-based sample tests previously tested only for THC, methylamphetamine and MDMA. If you test positive roadside for the presence of cocaine, THC, methylamphetamine and/or MDMA, the Police could charge you with […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

What is the charge of Threats? It is a criminal offence in Queensland to threaten another person.  A threat is any communication indicating an intention to do harm. A threat can be communicated directly or indirectly. It can be delivered through words- written or spoken, or by conduct.  An example of a threat is writing […]

In the Mackay Supreme Court, Van Dung Vu has plead not guilty to possessing more than 200 grams of dangerous drugs and possession of a mobile phone that was used in the commission of a crime. Mr Vu was arrested two (2) years ago after the Australian Border Force found a package containing 3.3 kilograms […]

A 23-year-old man has been charged and today faced Southport Magistrates Court after a 20 year old man was stabbed in the abdomen in Varsity Lakes on Sunday afternoon. A fight is alleged to have broken out between the pair and it is reported that Mr James Smith who has been charged after the incident […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

The answer is, NO. No one is above the law – even police officers who enforce the law. Just after midnight on Sunday 26 February 2023, two officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command identified two motorcycle riders travelling on the M5 through Liverpool in NSW.  The two motorcyclists were eventually pulled over at […]

The Facebook quiz which led to the Cambridge Analytica data breach has been the subject of many courts worldwide. The personality quiz that was running on Facebook was taken by people across the world, however as we now know those who took the quiz also exposed their Facebook friends to the data breach unknowingly. Over […]

Queensland Parliament is currently reviewing their laws in relation to minor illicit drug offending after taking into consideration evidence and advice from experts. There is ever expanding pressure on the criminal justice system to deal with the number of matters brought before the courts and a significant number of those matters are for minor drug […]

While patrolling the roads of Innisfail, police noticed a driver of vehicle had his furry little friend sitting unrestrained on his lap. After the police pulled the driver over, they issued an infringement notice under s 297(1A) of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009. The man was fined a whopping $718 for […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of the interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced […]

Ms Victoria Nelson was a proud Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman. Veronica was only 37 years old when she died at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre on 2 January 2020. Veronica had been in custody for three days. Bail had been denied on offences that were unlikely to find her sentenced […]

Last week in Queensland, there were at least five fatal motorcycle accidents reported. These numbers are starting this year’s road tolls off to another horrific start. In 2022, Queensland surpassed both Victoria and New South Wales road tolls, with the highest road tolls since 2009. On Queensland Roads there were 299 fatal traffic incidents, a […]

Extradition proceedings in Australia – both outgoing and incoming are governed by the Extradition Act 1988. Extradition is a process by which one country apprehends and sends a person to another country for the purposes of criminal prosecution or to serve a prison sentence. Australia is a party to over two dozen bilateral treaties with […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

In a period of twenty-four (24) hours an alleged group have conducted in a series of armed robberies in Brisbane that targeted four different fast food outlets. The armed robberies have occurred with the perpetrators alleged to have been armed with a gun and several knives during the robberies. The first robbery has allegedly occurred […]

The Australian Federal Government announced reforms that will allow Australian Federal Courts to consider threats of domestic and family violence in international child abduction cases before return orders are made. Currently under International Law, domestic and family violence was not an aspect Australian Federal Courts needed to take into consideration when assessing applications for the […]

Some criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Queensland cannot be dealt with in the magistrates’ court, despite starting in the magistrates court.  When charges cannot be dealt with by a magistrate, they need to go through the committal process.  That is, the charges need to be committed up to a higher court. There are […]

When someone is charged with criminal offences, there is usually more than one court date.  If the matter is adjourned, the defendant is usually required to sign a bail undertaking. The bail undertaking contains certain information such as their name and address, what they have been charged with, what court file the charges relate to, […]

A Police banning notice is a notice that is provided to an individual by Police that stops them from remaining at or entering the following locations: A safe night precinct; A licenced premises; An event where alcohol is being sold; or An area that is within a reasonable distance of any of the above three […]

If you have been charged with the offence of drink driving or drug driving you will be facing a disqualification of your licence. Section 87 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 allows for an individual to make an Application to the Court for a restricted licence to allow them to drive for […]

As the holiday season draws closer the celebrations occur more frequently Police are out in force conducting random breath tests on those behind the wheel on our roads. If you choose to drink and drive than you should be aware of the penalty you may face if you are caught. For those on the following […]

On 14 December 2022, accused murderer Steven Dean Walker-Ely appeared in the Mackay Magistrates Court. Mr Walker-Ely is accused of the murder of Birdsall Fa’apepele. 25-year-old Birdsall was stabbed to death at a Paget Caravan Park on 14 December 2021. He suffered stab wounds to the neck, face and abdomen from the attack which took […]

James Mason plead not guilty to the murder of his girlfriend Alexis Parkes. He plead guilty to arson after deliberately setting Ms Parkes vehicle on fire. Ms Parkes died in February 2020 after suffering organ failure several days after being rescued from her burning house in Chermside. The Court heard evidence of heated disagreements between […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

Neither tourists nor citizens can escape revisions to the Indonesian criminal code that will sex outside of marriage become a criminal charge. The penalty imposed for such offence will attract 1 year imprisonment; 6 months if parties are found cohabiting. The “Bali bonk ban” sets to roll out over the next 3 years. Human Rights […]

On 1 January 2023 the legislation passed almost 15 months prior will come into effect in Queensland. Currently in Australia the services can be accessed in Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, where the legislation has already come into effect. Prior to the introduction of the new legislation, it was illegal to assist even a terminally […]

Sixteen years after Christopher Jarvis disappeared from Wangoom, two men have officially been charged with murder and this week front the Warrnambool Magistrates Court in Victoria. Mr Jarvis has not been seen since 6:00am on 13 June 2006. At 8:00am on 13 June 2006 his car was found on fire at Thunder Point in Warrnambool. […]

It is an offence not to wear your seatbelt properly in a vehicle.  The seatbelt must be fastened correctly (ie/ it must be over your shoulder and not worn under your arm).  The driver of a car can also be fined for allowing passengers in their car to be not correctly restrained.  It is also […]

On 4 November 2022, after more than one day of deliberations following a two-week trial in the Cairns Supreme Court a jury has found Kyam Broadby not guilty of murdering his colleague after a violent assault. The jury did return a verdict of guilty on the alternate charge of manslaughter. At the time of the […]

Justice Tamara Jago has ruled that the key evidence obtained by Tasmana police for drug trafficking matters was inadmissible therefore crippling the Crown case. Police opened a parcel sent to the address in the north-west city of Devonport containing methylamphetamine after suspicious packages were detected by Australia Post employees. Tasmania Police were tipped off by […]

As of 1 November 2022 new laws have been introduced in Queensland to target e-scooter riders which will now see the laws in line with cycling laws. The changes have been introduced following an increasing number of catastrophic and life changing injuries from accidents involving e-scooters. There have been fatalities and a number of upper […]

On Thursday, 27 October 2022, after a 12-day trial and 5 days of deliberations, the jury panel in the rape trial of Bruce Lehrmann were discharged. Chief Justice Lucy McCallum had no choice but to discharge the jury after it was discovered that a jury member had brought in outside evidence to the deliberation room. […]

In September 2021, the Queensland Government introduced tough new parole laws for prisoners convicted of atrocious crimes who received sentences of life imprisonment for their crimes. The laws are intended to target people who are convicted of killing children and those who are convicted of multiple murders.  The legislation which is included within the Police […]

Former swimming coach, Kyle Daniels has been acquitted by the Jury in the New South Wales District Court. Mr Daniels pleaded not guilty to 21 charges, 10 charges of a sexual nature. Kyle Daniels, is twenty-four years old and was charged with inappropriate sexual contact with 9 young female students whilst working as a part […]

This article examines certain aspects of the criminal charge of trespass. It is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice. The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article. It is important […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

An Intensive Correction Order is just what it sounds like – intensive. Make no mistakes though, it is a jail sentence, just served in the community.  This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice. The author will not be held responsible for any action that a […]

Much like the road rules for motor vehicle uses, the traffic laws which apply across local jurisdictions of Australia extend to those who utilise bicycles on the road. Under all legislation materials covering motor vehicles, a bicycle is classed as a vehicle which must obey the same rules that other vehicles are legally bound by. […]

Upon being charged with an offence, you may be required to attend court at a later date, or otherwise be kept in custody until a court date is next available.  Every individual, independent of their specific circumstances, has a right to apply for bail.  Applications for bail are considered in various court jurisdictions, including in […]

Medical marijuana, with an approved prescription, is now legal in Queensland. However, driving with a relevant drug in your saliva, remains illegal in Queensland. Prescription or not, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the main psychoactive component of cannabis, remains a relevant drug in Queensland.   Generally, if you are prescribed cannabidiol (CBD) medication, you are able to […]

Medicinal marijuana can assist in relieving the symptoms of a medical condition such as chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, palliative care, severe muscular spasms and some forms of chronic pain.  Medicinal marijuana have active medicinal ingredients called cannabinoids. Although there are hundreds of cannabinoids in marijuana plants, the most well known are CBD (cannabidiol) and […]

Once a parking fine has been issued, there is generally nothing the person issuing the fine can do to revoke the ticket. However, if you believe you’ve wrongly been issued a parking fine, you generally have three options: pay the fine; appeal the fine to your local council; or take the matter to court. There […]

Did you know that Australia’s constitution does not provide for the federal parliament to legislate road rules?  This means, that responsibility of deciding road rules, is left to each state and territory, meaning there is no consistent traffic rules all over Australia.  Historically, the difference between states and territories road rules has led to road […]

Essentially in relation to traffic laws, you will be provided with an Infringement Notice or Notice to Appear for any traffic offence unless you are able to show an extraordinary emergency. Even in extraordinary emergencies you may be issued with an Infringement Notice or charged and there are steps you will be required to take […]

In Queensland youth crime is on the rise. The figures include an increase in stealing offences, unlawful use of vehicle charges, and property damage.   In 2021 the Queensland government imposed a controversial crackdown on youth crimes. Since then, the average number of young person’s held in custody has increased.  The crackdown came as a result […]

Between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning, 5 deaths occurred as a result of collisions and crashes on Victorian Roads.  The incidents occurred in Melbourne, Buxton, Flynn, and Geelong.  Glen Weir, the Road Policing Assistant Commissioner spoke to the risk the winter period poses in Victoria in relation to traffic accidents.  ‘We are entering a high-risk […]

Are you going to jail for the first time in Australia? Here’s everything you need to know.   This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice. The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of the interpretation of […]

An inquiry has been announced after months of the Queensland Government facing questions regarding alleged failures regarding DNA testing at the forensics labs run in the state.  Following the death of Shandee Blackburn this inquiry hopes to bring answers to those who have been affected.  Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszcuk has noted that the confidence in […]

Five men have been charged with almost two million dollars’ worth of cannabis at two rural Lockyer Valley properties. The men were aged 27, 27, 46, 36, and 21 and were charged with production of a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug and possession of anything used in the commission of a crime.   The […]

Defamation is when a person publishes content that is defamatory to another living person without a lawful reasoning. In order for an individual to produce a successful claim of defamation they must prove that: The material was published, that it can be considered defamatory; and, That there is no legal defence for the material to […]

Alex Robert Smart has been found guilty of murdering a father of 5 on a Queensland Highway.  The murder of Tylor Bell occurred on Father’s Day in 2019. Mr Bell approached an intersection in Gympie, Queensland where he got into a quarrel with Smart. Smart then exited his vehicle and stabbed Mr Bell in the […]

On 15 May 2022, Mr Avzi Ejupi was found dead in his Kingston home by police having suffered significant head injuries.   An investigation was launched as the Police were suspicious of the circumstances of Mr Ejupi’s death after discovering his body in the garage of his home.  Homicide detectives interviewed several people including a number […]

New South Wales Police have charged step-father Justin Stein with the death of nine-year-old Charlise Mutten.  Charlise was found dead inside a barrel near the Colo River in the Blue Mountains following a family holiday in January 2022. Charlise lived in Queensland with her grandparents but had travelled to NSW to spend her school holidays […]

A number of hefty fines have now been introduced by NSW to further discourage retailers and others from selling vaping items containing nicotine after a number of young people have been found to have taken up the habit and be in possession of the nicotine products despite the laws which were designed to prevent them […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

An unidentified diver was found unconscious on the banks of the Hunter River at Newcastle harbour on Monday morning at approximately 9:30am. Paramedics and members of the public couldn’t revive him when he was located. In his immediate vicinity were a number of packages of a white powder which Police suspect to be cocaine. His […]

For the past 12 months Queensland police have been trialling using metal detectors to locate knifes and other weapons carried by individuals in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Since the trial began, 133 concealed weapons have been uncovered leading to the charge of 106 weapon offences.  The trial was initiated as a result of a series […]

A police investigation is underway, and charges have been laid following an incident in a Burleigh Heads public bathroom on Monday morning. It is alleged that at approximately 5:40am on Monday morning the 43-year-old victim has entered into a stall in the public bathroom. He is alleged to have been followed into the stall by […]

Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, a Malaysian national with learning disabilities, convicted of trafficking just 42.7 grammes of heroine in 2010, has been executed in Singapore.  In 2009, Mr Dharmalingam, who has an IQ of 69, said he was coerced into trafficking the heroin as a way to pay off his debts. He said the debts were accumulated […]

On Tuesday in the Supreme Court in Burnie a 28-year-old past female cleaner from a Tasmanian school’s sentence began after she was charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old male student. Their relationship is estimated to have lasted for over four months between approximately June and September in 2021. The relationship only ended after the boy’s […]

Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 shortly before her fourth birthday. The young child went missing from the Portuguese holiday resort where her family had been vacationing. Her parents had put young Madeleine and her two siblings to bed, shortly before going out to dinner nearby. It was during this time in which she is believed […]

The Easter long weekend has been and gone and Queensland saw high numbers of tourists grace its borders for their holidays. With the celebrations came the typical increase in Police officers out in force to monitor those celebrating to ensure things stayed in control.  Random breath testing stops were put in place in numerous locations […]

A number of new changes to the penalties faced by motorists have been announced on Monday 11 April 2022 by the Queensland Government. The changes have come after statistics were released from the offences caught by the new covert cameras in Queensland. In the past four months almost 50,000 fines were handed out to motorists […]

Russia has been suspended from the UN Human Rights Council by the United Nations General Assembly. The suspension bars Russia from speaking and voting, although Russian diplomats can still attend debates. There are 193 voting members of the General Assembly. There were 93 votes in favour of the suspension, 24 countries voted no and 58 […]

A year long alleged business dispute between two men in Hervey Bay has ended in murder. A 62-year-old Urangan man was found with significant injuries to his head at an Urangan business complex at approximately 8:00am on Monday 4 April 2022. The victim has died at the scene from his injuries. Police have arrested the […]

The coronial inquest into the deaths of Hannah Clarke and her three children has come to a close. Ms Clarke and her three children died inside of the family SUV on 19 February 2020. Their tragic deaths occurred as Rowan Baxter, Clarke’s former husband and father of their three children, covered the family car in […]

On Friday 25 March 2022, 21-year-old Mackenzie Anderson was found with multiple stab wounds outside her apartment. The young mother was found on the landing outside her unit after police received reports that her ex-partner Tyrone Thompson had broken into her home whilst armed. Ms Anderson was unable to be saved when Emergency Services arrived […]

Six people, including three real estate agents, are alleged to have used several rental properties in order to cultivate cannabis. They are further accused of having used the names of various unsuspecting renters to claim Covid rental relief payments. All six accused were arrested on Wednesday. The charges laid vary for each defendant but include […]

A pre-sentence report is an independent psychological evaluation that is used to assist the court in making informed sentencing decisions.  Pre-sentence assessments generally address the following areas:  Background of defendant, and any personal underlaying psychological issues that may have led to the offending;  Psychometric testing (a way to measure mental ability and behavioural style);  Investigation […]

At approximately 3:30pm on Saturday a kayaker made a horrifying discovery while kayaking at Gordonbrook Dam. The kayaker found two bodies floating approximately five metres from shore. The bodies were bound together and are alleged to have been there for some time. During Saturday night emergency services recovered the remains of the two from the […]

A regular question that many people charged with drink driving ask is, “Will I lose my job for drink driving?”. The fact is, one of the most common traffic offences in Australia is the offence of drink driving.  Since it is a criminal offence, if a person gets convicted for drink driving, it goes onto […]

The Public Trustee is a socially and fiscally responsive Statutory Authority that is designed to help to make decisions that enhance the dignity, rights and interests of Queenslanders. The Public Trustee is governed by the Trustee Act 1978. The Public Trustee is self-funded – meaning it does not receive any financial support or funding from […]

The Public Trustee is a socially and fiscally responsive Statutory Authority that is designed to help to make decisions that enhance the dignity, rights and interests of Queenslanders. The Public Trustee is governed by the Trustee Act 1978. The Public Trustee is self-funded – meaning it does not receive any financial support or funding from […]

A Melbourne UBER driver is in hospital following an attempted armed robbery which occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning sometime after 3:30am. Mr Hassan Ahmed was one of the victims of multiple unrelated violent incidents which occurred in Melbourne over the weekend. He is recovering after being stabbed seven times and bashed by […]

A 33 year old Logan man has died as a result of critical burns suffered to 90% of his body. It is believed the house fire which resulted in Stanley Obi’s death was set by his former partner, Sarah Mudge. She is thought to have broken into the home before allegedly committing arson. Superintendent Mark […]

In the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday 7 March 2022, a Queensland grandmother plead guilty to drug trafficking charges. 62-year-old Sandra Castle was charged following a six month period of trafficking dangerous drugs including methamphetamine, cannabis and Oxycontin from her home.   Ms Castle was running the operation along side her daughter and her partner, before […]

Jarryd Hayne, former Parramatta Eels player is set to face his third sexual assault trial. Hayne is alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman in 2018, following the NRL grand final. He now faces two counts of aggravated sexual assault.  In 2020, Hayne’s first trial resulted in a hung jury, where the jury where unable […]

Queensland is finally catching up! Similar to how we download our vaccination certificate, we will soon be able to download our driver’s licence onto our phones. The technology will also include digital access to marine licences and proof of age cards.   The digital licence will be considered an ‘official document’ allowing you to drive and […]

The Australian Government has announced that there will be support available for those in South-East Queensland who are currently being affected by the flooding. Affected parties can apply for an Australian Government Recovery Payment to give them some support in this time of need. If you have been significantly affected by the natural disaster occurring […]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorised a military operation in the Eastern European country. This has come after months of denial by Russia of such plans, whilst troops continue to be seen massing in Moscow. The Ukraine is located in eastern Europe and is the second largest country in terms of land area in Europe. […]

The Vanuatuan man appeared before the Innisfail Magistrates Court this week charged with murder. The matter has been adjourned to a date later in the year in order for a brief of evidence to be collated and the matter to proceed via the committal process. Murder is a charge that cannot be dealt with in […]

After a Perth bus driver’s momentary lapse of concentration which resulted in the death of a cyclist, the 55 year old Transperth bus driver, Simon Tugwell, received a sentence with no requirement of serving a term of imprisonment. The incident took place at the busy intersection of Newcastle and Beaufort Streets on October 6 2020. […]

Police are encouraging Gold Coast residents to register their CCTV cameras as a means to combat crime. The initiative is currently active in 15 Queensland policing districts, however, has been expanded to include the Gold Coast, beginning with Yatala and Varsity Lakes. The program, Community Camera Alliance (CCA) encourages Gold Coast residents and business owners […]

On the afternoon of Valentine’s Day 46-year-old Vanessa Godfrey was discovered on a luxury golf resort on the Sunshine Coast following a welfare check after they did not check out of their room. The mother of two from Gunnedah New South Wales was discovered by the staff of the Pelican Waters resort already deceased in […]

A 35 year old Nigerian man had now been charged with one count of perjury, two counts of forgery, as well as the offence of providing false documents or false or misleading information relating to non-citizens (Migration Act 1958). The charge under the Migration Act is the first ever to be laid in Queensland. The […]

The murder trial of police officer Zachary Rolfe over the shooting death of Yuendumu teenager Kumanjayi Walker is currently before the Northern Territory Supreme Court in Darwin. Constable Rolfe has plead not guilty to the murder of Kumanjayi Walker. He has also plead not guilty to the alternate charges of manslaughter and engaging in a […]

We are only 8 days into February 2022 and the road toll in Queensland for the month has already reached twelve fatalities. This is the same number of fatalities that occurred in the first three weeks of January. This brings the State’s road toll numbers up to 32 fatalities for the year, and we are […]

Australian businessman, Andrew Forrest, has launched criminal proceedings against Facebook, claiming the tech giant has breached Australian money laundering laws. The mining tycoon alleges Facebook has failed to prevent cryptocurrency advertisements and has not done enough to prevent related scams.  As early as 2019, Mr Forest began requesting Facebook remove his image from cryptocurrency schemes […]

Citipointe Christian College’s controversial contract is a glimpse into “freedoms” that may be allowed under the proposed Religious Discrimination Bill. The contract demanded families denounce homosexuality and that students identify by birth gender, or risk being excluded from the school.  Current discrimination laws prohibit Citipointe Christian College’s “contract”, however, currently before Parliament, is a bill […]

On 4 February 2022 the Queensland Government will introduce new road rules, some of which attract high penalties. New Parking FineMotorists caught stopping in electric vehicle charging bays who are not charging their vehicle will now face parking fines. The new fine carries a maximum penalty of $2,757.00 or motorists may be issued a penalty […]

It is alleged that a 56-year old man from North West Queensland used his position as a taxi driver to exploit numerous vulnerable female victims within the Mt Isa community. In October 2021, police began investigating the man after receiving information pertaining to an alleged domestic violence offence. In early January a search warrant was […]

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has the power to examine ANY goods at the Border- including your electronic documents and photos on your mobile phone. As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease and we all begin to flock overseas, it is important you are aware that you will likely be stopped by ABF officials for a […]

Terence Darryl Kelly was charged with abducting four year old Cleo Smith in November 2021, after she disappeared from her families tent during the middle of the night in October 2021. Cleo was held for 18 days in Terence’s house in Carnarvon, Western Australia following her disappearance. She was located in a locked room within […]

Justin Stein has been arrested and charged with the murder of his partner’s daughter. Nine-year-old Charlise Mutton, Queensland Resident, was on a holiday in New South Wales with her mother when she disappeared. Charlise was reported missing in the Blue Mountains last week Friday 14 January 2022. Her disappearance sparked a massive search by police […]

Bali bomber- Aris Sumarsono or better known as Zulkarnaen- eluded arrest for 18 years. He was captured in 2020 and has finally been sentenced to 15 years in an Indonesian prison. Zulkarnaen was found guilty of terrorism crimes, including hiding information about the 2002 Bali Bombings and harbouring suspects. The Bali Bombings in October 2002, […]

World Number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic has been deported following the ten day appeal process about whether he was able to remain in Australia for the Australian Open. Originally Djokovic was given a medical exemption to allow him to enter Australia to participate in the Australian Open despite that he was not vaccinated against […]

Drink driving reforms came into effect on 10 September 2021. The reforms incorporate an overhaul and expansion of the existing Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program, and the introduction of education programs. There are considerable new consequences if you choose not to participate in both programs. Expansion of the existing Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program: If you have […]

Drink driving reforms came into effect on 10 September 2021. The reforms incorporate an overhaul and expansion of the existing Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program, and the introduction of education programs. There are considerable new consequences if you choose not to participate in both programs. Expansion of the existing Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program: If you have […]

At 1:00am on Monday morning, the Queensland border opened to the rest of Australia following the vaccination rates reaching 80% double vaccinated. There is some important information you need to know about the border reopening. You can travel from a hotspot and you will not be required to quarantine for 14 days regardless of whether […]

Castlemaine tradie, Glenn Stratton, was charged with murder in May 2021 after pulling the trigger to end his father’s life. This was not an act of hate however, rather an act of “love and respect” as put by Supreme Court Justice Hollingworth. Stratton’s father, Colin Stratton was suffering from chronic cancer. He had attended numerous […]

Parents of Ethan Crumbley, the teen arrested for the murder of four schoolmates and the wounding of seven other people, have been charged with manslaughter. This is the first time that parents of school shootings have been held accountable for the actions of their children. It has been reported that Ethan’s parents, purchased a semiautomatic […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]

This article is for general information only and should not be relied on for specific legal advice.  The author will not be held responsible for any action that a person takes as a result of interpretation of the contents of this article.  It is important to seek specific advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer […]