This e-brief discusses the Exhibited Animals Protection Amendment (Prohibitions on Exhibition) Bill 2018, which was introduced into the New South Wales Legislative Council on 25 October 2018 by Mark Pearson MLC, of the Animal Justice Party. The object of the Bill is to prohibit the use of exotic animals in circuses.

This paper collates recent statistical information on crime rates, victims, offenders, policing, juvenile justice, criminal courts and corrections in New South Wales. It is designed to provide an evidence base to inform public discussion and policy development.

This Issues Backgrounder provides a range of information on the effectiveness of section 37 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). Section 37 prohibits strangulation, a significant form of domestic violence.

Members of Parliament regularly receive requests directly or through their electorate offices about funding opportunities for community groups. This Issues Backgrounder is designed to assist in responding to these requests.

The misuse of pharmaceutical drugs is a major public health issue in Australia, as highlighted by parliamentary, government and coroner reports. There are fears that Australia could be heading down the same path as the United States, where prescription drug misuse has been described as an epidemic.