Closing the Justice Gap: Helping Australia’s “Missing Middle” Access Legal Help
Only 8% of households meet the income and asset tests for legal aid, meaning, concerning, that the "missing majority" are the nearly 40% of Australians living in poverty who are ineligible for legal aid but cannot afford private representation.
December 25’ Update: SA announces $674m Domestic Violence Response to Royal Commission
The South Australian Government has accepted 129 of the 136 recommendations made by Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence either fully, in principle or in part, and committed $674 million over 10 years to wide-ranging legal, policing and court reforms.
Saab “directly linked” to harm as their missile found on traditional land
A recent investigation has found that weapons maker Saab has been “directly linked” to harm after one of its missiles was discovered on traditional Aboriginal land at Lake Hart, near the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia.
Where to Next for Australia’s Modern Slavery Act
The Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (MSA) came into force on 1 January 2019. In October this year, the government finished the first round of consultations to implement 25 of 30 recommendations following the 2023 independent statutory review led by Professor John McMillan AO. So what’s next for the MSA?
Law proposes to give AFP power to possess, share and use child abuse material
Victoria introduces bill to restrict NDAs in sexual harassment cases
The Restricting Non-Disclosure Agreements (Sexual Harassment at Work) Bill 2025 (Vic) was introduced to the Victorian Parliament on 29 October 2025, marking a major step toward transparency and fairness for victim-survivors in the workplace.
NSW: highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody ever recorded in a single year
In 2025, New South Wales has already seen 12 Indigenous people die while in custody, marking the highest number ever recorded in a single year.
State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan described the milestone as “profoundly distressing,” emphasising that these are not mere statistics but individual lives, and declared that each death “demands independent and careful scrutiny.”
ACT Expands Institutional Liability for Child Sexual Abuse
Disclaimer: This article discusses institutional child sexual abuse. If you or someone you know needs help visit the Bravehearts Support Services page for support or help accessing the National Redress Scheme.
Australia Proposes Expansion of ASIO Interrogation Powers
The federal government is moving to expand ASIO’s compulsory questioning powers. This raises serious concerns about civil liberties and legal protections.
New Queensland Law Limits Use of Character References for Sex Offenders
Queensland has changed the law on using good character references in sex offence cases. Here’s what it means for offenders, survivors, and the justice system.
Bans on Working With Children to Be Decided Within 12 Months
The South Australian Government has announced that from next year, decisions on working with children bans must be made within 12 months of a charge being laid.
SA Law Society Raises Concerns Over Youth Bail and Sentencing Reforms
The South Australian Government has introduced the Statutes Amendment (Recidivist Young Offenders) Bill 2025. Its stated aim is to address youth crime by targeting serious repeat offenders with tougher bail and sentencing measures. The Law Society of South Australia has voiced serious concerns about the scope, fairness and long-term consequences of the proposed laws.
Unfinished Business: ALRM’s Review of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
In July 2025, the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) released its report Unfinished Business: A Review of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC).
2025 updated Knife and Weapons Laws in South Australia
Here are the 2025 updates to the knife and weapons laws in South Australia
NSW Coroner Calls for Better Prison–Family Communication After Mr. Brown’s Death
A recent coronial inquest into the tragic death in custody of 28-year-old Lathan Brown has highlighted a glaring failure in how NSW Correctional Services notified his family during his final hours.
Review into Legal Definition of “Terrorist Act”
The Australian Government has launched an independent review into how the law defines a terrorist act amid concerns about the radicalisation of young people and the rise of new, violent ideologies.