Queensland
Report
The right to information: reviewing Queensland's Freedom of Information Act
Chaired by barrister, author and former journalist, David Solomon, the panel makes 141 recommendations that are "not merely an upgrade of the legislation, but a new model... a radically different but more effective legislative architecture for FOI". Government information should be released ?routinely and proactively? without the need for individual requests. A Right to Information...
Report
The Queensland Drug Court: a recidivism study of the first 100 graduates
This paper considers the Queensland Drug court's attempt to reduce reoffending by drug-dependent offenders with a long history of criminal offending and heavy drug use. The study found that successful graduates consistently report a decline in their criminal activity and lower rates of recidivism than those who dropped out of the program or were sent...
Report
Enhancing open and accountable government
This discussion paper has been prepared by an independent expert panel appointed by the Queensland Government to undertake a comprehensive review of the Queensland Freedom of Information Act 1992. The Panel was asked to prepare a discussion paper, for community consultation, and then a report with its recommendations. In conducting the review the Panel has...
Report
An adversarial quagmire - the continued inability of the Queensland criminal justice system to cater for Indigenous witnesses and complainants
Nigel Stobbs writes about the disadvantage suffered by Indigenous victims, witnesses and defendants who don't speak English or for whom English is not their primary language. Stobbs writes that the issue involves more than sending in an interpreter.
Report
Policing public nuisance: the legacy of recent events on Palm Island
Paula Morreau writes about Palm Island and police culture suggesting that improvements to police culture will be slow unless contextualised. Morreau argues that the deconstruction of the complex dynamic between state institutions and Indigenous peoples should not be left to the discretion of ill-equipped police officers. There is a need for a more comprehensive response...