South Australia expands police search powers for high-risk missing persons
South Australia has enacted the Summary Offences (High Risk Missing Persons) Amendment Act 2025, introducing urgent search powers for police in serious missing persons cases.
South Australia Strengthens Legal Recognition of Carers in the Carers Recognition (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2025
South Australia has passed the Carers Recognition (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2025, modernising the Carers Recognition Act 2005 and strengthening how unpaid carers are recognised across government and the legal system. The Act also makes related amendments to key criminal and protective legislation, ensuring carers are properly recognised when people interact with police, courts and the justice system.
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.
Law proposes to give AFP power to possess, share and use child abuse material
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.
ASC rules strip searching female prisoner illegal breach of human rights
The ACT Supreme Court has determined that the human rights of an Aboriginal woman detained at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) were breached when she was subjected to two strip-searches in 2021. These searches were ruled to have violated the ACT Human Rights Act, affirming that even in custody, individual dignity must not be disregarded.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – Understanding the Law and Support Available
In South Australia, female genital mutilation is a serious criminal offence. The maximum penalty is 7 years in prison.
Court finds Police Used Excessive Force on Aboriginal Man in Wheelchair
Judge Macdonald of the Darwin Magistrates’ Court found that Senior Constable Abbas used “clearly and obviously excessive, unreasonable and unlawful” force when he dragged Aboriginal man Mr Cebu from his wheelchair at the Palmerston markets.
Bullying and Online Safety: Your Legal Options in Australia
Bullying online or in person? Understand your legal options in Australia, from eSafety complaints to civil and criminal remedies.
Human Rights Behind Bars: The Duty to Protect Female Prisoners
Every person in custody retains basic human rights. Chief among them is the right to safety, dignity, and freedom from abuse. The recent $2 million lawsuit brought by Keli Lane against the NSW Government highlights how deeply these rights can be breached when systems fail to protect women behind bars.
Concerned about an elderly or vulnerable adult in your life? Contact the Adult Safeguarding Unit in South Australia
What You Need to Know About the Adult Safeguarding Unit in South Australia
Then NSW police officers jailed for pepper-spraying, stomping and dragging woman during welfare check
Two former NSW Police officers pleaded guilty to multiple charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, common assault, and misusing a prohibited weapon.