New Research

Penalty notices

21 May 2012The NSW Law Reform Commission Report 132 Penalty Notices reviews and makes recommendations in relation to the penalty notice system in NSW. Penalty notices are imposed most often for minor offences, but the topic is nevertheless an important one.

Administration of applications for financial assistance under the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance Act) 1983

17 May 2012This report finds that excessive and unreasonable delays are likely to occur for victims of crime seeking financial assistance, especially for applicants who have no legal representation.

Guardianship: final report

14 May 2012In order to promote and protect the rights of people with an impaired decision making capacity, this review investigates whether guardianship law in Victoria is sufficient.

Investigation into the National Office of the Health Services Union

Investigation into the National Office of the Health Services Union

08 May 2012Finding 181 contraventions of the HSU rules, this controversial Fair Work Australia report into the National Branch of the Health Services Union was released to the public on 7 May.

Notified fatalities statistical report 2010 -11

07 May 2012This report provides an analysis of work-related fatalities that occurred between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011 and were notifiable to jurisdictions under their work health and safety legislation.

Baseline sentencing report

03 May 2012This report contains recommendations relating to proposed baseline levels for sentencing as well as recommendations about their practical implementation.

More...

Crime

Sexual violence and gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer communities

22 May 2012This paper examines the limited research available on sexual violence within and against gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer communities.

What does the research evidence tell us about what Australians think about the legal status of drugs?

21 May 2012This bulletin summarises data from a nationally representative survey of Australians on the legal status of drugs.

Rights

Building collaborations to eliminate family violence: facilitators, barriers and good practice

23 May 2012Zero tolerance for family violence requires agencies and government departments in New Zealand to work cooperatively and with close involvement from whanau, hapu and iwi communities.

As one: APS disability employment strategy

23 May 2012Despite good intentions and a succession of initiatives over several years, people with disability remain significantly under-represented in the Australian Public Service (APS) workforce.

Gender pay gap statistics

21 May 2012Australia's working women earn 17.4% less than their male colleagues, based on new ABS data.

Commentary

The cultivated and the vulgar: China's cultural war

05 April 2012In October 2011 Chinese authorities banned scores of racy and overtly materialistic entertainment shows on primetime television, writes Ying Zhu for Asian Creative Transformations.

Piracy and prosecution: ringing in Kim Dotcom

25 January 2012Journalists have found their demon figure in the form of an anti-copyright maestro writes Binoy Kampmark for APO.

Assange and extradition: The next phase

07 November 2011His loss in the High Court would seemingly propel Julian Assange closer to Sweden writes Binoy Kampmark for APO.

More...

Topic Guides

ACCAN Guide to consumer rights and protection in the communications industry

09 November 2010This Guide highlights current consumer rights and protections in place in the communications industry in Australia and the debate around them.

Mechanisms for advancing women's human rights:

  • Australian Human Rights Commission

22 August 2011Aiming to assist women who have experienced human rights violations, and been failed by processes in Australia, this guide can be used to seek redress from international complaint mechanisms.

CC & Government Guide Using Creative Commons 3.0 Australia Licences on Government Copyright Materials

06 December 2010This Guide deals with the licensing of government copyright materials for distribution and reuse under Creative Commons (CC) 3.0 Australia licences.

Audio

Defending the indefensible: war criminals and the right to a fair trial

Listen to audio
19 March 2012International criminal law expert Dr Kevin Heller discusses the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and argues why even the worst of war criminals are entitled to the best defense. With host Jacky Angus.

Delusions of certainty: regulation through an ethical lens

Listen to audio
25 January 2012Social scientists Assoc Prof Fiona Haines and Prof Nancy Reichman discuss the myths and implications behind authorities’ implementation of regulations, particularly in the wake of a disaster. With host Jennifer Cook.

Law

Trends in Afghan-Australia relations

23 May 2012As a major troop-contributing nation to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, Australia’s relations with Afghanistan have rapidly taken on new dimensions since troops were first deployed in Uruzgan Province.

Hormone treatment of gender identity disorder in a cohort of children and adolescents

21 May 2012The latest research by the Medical Journal of Australia illustrates a rise in individuals with gender identity disorder (GID), sufferers have a persistent and profound discomfort with their biological sex and a strong identification with the gender of the opposite sex.

Video

Michael Kirby: paradoxes and principles

Listen to audio
13 May 2011The Hon Michael Kirby in conversation with his biographer A.J. Brown.

Change the 'lock em up' mentality

Listen to audio
23 October 2009Ted Wilkes, Chair, National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee, speaks about alcohol use in Indigenous Communities and the links between self esteem, substance abuse and incarceration. The Australian Drug Foundation's conference Thinking Drinking 3 held in Brisbane in August 2009, looked at the role of alcohol in entertainment, violence and crime, the night-time economy, marketing, taxation, competition policy, alcogenic environments and more. 9.59 minutes

Justice system

Websites

AFRC Bibliography Collection

12 May 2011The Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse now provides real-time searches for bibliographies on a range of topics related to family, family relationships and issues that affect Australian families.

Historical Justice and Memory Research Network

08 December 2010The Historical Justice and Memory Research Network is a networking platform for scholars, researchers and activists working on issues of historical justice and memory.

Australian Lawyers Directory

10 June 2010A national online directory to Australia’s 13,000+ solicitors firms, barristers and bar chambers.

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Books

Speechwriting for government in Australia

Speechwriting for government in Australia

  • James Groves
  • James Groves & Associates
"...an indispensible book...excellent practical guide to the art of effective oral communication" from the Foreword by Malcolm Hazell CVO AM, former Official Secretary to the Governor-General
Indifferent Inclusion Aboriginal people and the Australian Nation

Indifferent Inclusion Aboriginal people and the Australian Nation

  • Russell McGregor
  • Aboriginal Studies Press
“Russell McGregor is one of the foremost scholars in the field of Aboriginal history. The very title of the book breaks new ground because of the questions implicit in its approach…his perspective is genuinely fresh and insightful.” — Historian Mark McKenna

Noticeboard

Alternative inquiries to Royal Commissions proposed
19 August 2009

The ALRC is calling for greater flexibility, more options for Royal Commissions and other official inquiries.

Ahead of its final report and recommendations, the ALRC is seeking public feedback and is asking a range of new questions on its ‘’Talk to Us” online forum  - about the power of Commissions and Inquiries, the rights of witnesses, and the treatment of sensitive information, among other issues.

The ALRC urges the public to join the forum and take part in this debate.

Topic Guides

ACCAN Guide to consumer rights and protection in the communications industry

09 November 2010This Guide highlights current consumer rights and protections in place in the communications industry in Australia and the debate around them.

Topics

APO