This e-brief presents a brief history of land access provisions in NSW: first in relation to minerals, and secondly in relation to petroleum (which includes coal seam gas). This paper also briefly examines land access provisions in other States.

The NSW Workers Compensation Scheme has experienced many reforms over the past three decades. These changes have largely been made in response to fluctuations in the financial position of the Scheme. The most recent major reforms were enacted in 2001 when the Scheme had a deficit of over $2 billion. As outlined in a 2001...

This paper outlines the present system of judicial appointments in NSW and other Australian jurisdictions. It also summarises the debate about the appointments process and looks at recent discussion papers and reports in NSW and other Australian jurisdictions. In addition, an overview is presented of the judicial appointments system in the UK, and of recent...

The revised legislative crime control scheme would likely survive constitutional challenge in the High Court. On 15 February 2012 the NSW Attorney General, Greg Smith, introduced the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Bill 2012 [the 2012 Bill] into the Legislative Assembly. The Bill was passed without amendment and transmitted to the Legislative Council on the same...

Over the past year, there have been a large number of shootings, including drive-by shootings, in South-Western and Western Sydney. This has given rise to great concern in the community. NSW Police have set up a special taskforce to tackle gun violence. In addition, on 14 February 2012, the NSW Government announced a number of...