The Weekly News Roundup - 28th January

These were the major law news headlines between 28th January and 1st February. 

MONDAY 28th

Government's proposed federal ICAC 'a sham', say former senior judges

A group of retired judges have submitted a paper slamming the proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission. They criticise the proposal, claiming it is a sham, as the public sector are shielded from “proper scrutiny and accountability.”

Lawyer of woman forced to pay likely abuser says decision will have 'chilling effect'

Mariya Taylor was ordered to pay her alleged abuser, Robert Roper, $28,000 in court fees, even though Judge Edwards believed it was quite likely that she was assaulted by him. Ms Taylor’s lawyer explained that this outcome will negatively affect other victims from coming forward, as Ms Taylor has been revictimised from the legal proceedings.

GPs seek legal advice on My Health Record

“Doctors are seeking legal advice over whether they may be held liable for mishaps that occur as a result of incorrect patient data on My Health Record, as the task of populating millions of new records puts pressure on GPs, specialists and hospitals.'

TUESDAY 29th

'Completely changed': judges free not to jail minor drug dealers

“The landmark judgment that was handed down when Ugo Parente appealed his jail sentence for drug supply offences gave judges more leeway in sentencing with all offenders found guilty of dealing in a non-commercial supply of drugs.”

A consumer's guide to the banking royal commission's final report

Almost a year after the royal commission into Australia’s financial institutions, Commissioner Kenneth Hayne will report his findings on Friday, 1^st February. This articles outline what recommendations they believe Hayne will make in the final report.

Spike in payout claims as law includes victims of financial, emotional abuse

“A legislative change to allow domestic violence victims access to financial assistance for psychological injury has seen applications made to Victim Assist Queensland triple. VAQ granted $6.7 million in financial support payments to domestic and family violence victims across 2017-2018, compared with $3.7 million the year before, after legislation was changed in 2017 to expand the definition of injury.”

WEDNESDAY 30th

Consumer Protection warns of online scams after number of victims spikes by a third

There was a huge spike in scams in 2018, with an increase of 32% from the previous year, totaling a loss of $10.7 million. The investment scam category has grown significantly, with scammers posing as the ATO, police, foreign embassies and banks to gain personal information or money from their victims. The article encourages Australians to be cynical and always go directly to the organisation.

Sperm donation is testing what it means to be a legal parent, all the way to the High Court

The High Court will be hearing an appeal concerning the legal rights of a child born via sperm donation. This case will shed a light onto the confusion of the laws around parenting, and open up many other questions concerning the legal definition of a parent.

THURSDAY 31st 

'People shouldn't have their day ruined': New grace period for NSW parking fines

From 1^st February, motorists have an extra 10 minutes after their paid parking ticket expires to get back to their car before they can be fined. The move sits within a larger push from the NSW government to make paid parking tickets fairer for motorists.

Illicit drugs should be regulated and distributed by pharmacies, leading doctor suggests

In light of the recent deaths of festival-goers from suspected drug use, esteemed Dr Alex Wodak argues that substances like MDMA and ecstasy should be regulated and sold in chemists to ensure the purity of the drug, and therefore reduce deaths. His controversial argument was discussed on The Today Show.

Employers warned over privacy breaches when staff take domestic violence leave

“Employers have been warned to keep staff records confidential to avoid inadvertent privacy breaches and of potential liability for discrimination if they fail to grant employees at least five days of unpaid domestic violence leave.”

Images of cold case victims to be displayed at prisons to help solve more than 100 cases

Four South Australian prisons are using an innovative approach to solving cold case murders under their Operation Persist Campaign. Images of unsolved murders have been displayed on screens and on playing cards to encourage prisoners to come forward with any information they have. SA Police Deputy Commissioner Scott Duval said, “People in the criminal environment often know about other things going on in a criminal environment.”

FRIDAY 1st 

Judge calls on Muslims to publicly disavow violence in Koran

Supreme Court judge Justice Desmond Fagan has called on leaders in the Islamic community to condemn the violent interpretations of the Koran. His remarks were made during the sentencing of Sameh Bayda and Alo-Bridget Namoa, a 21-year old couple found guilty for conspiring a terrorist attack. “If Australian followers of the religion, including those who profess deep knowledge, were to make a clear public disavowal of these verses, as not authoritative instructions from Allah, then the terrorists’ moral conviction might be weakened,” said Fagan.

Senior colleague told woman he could 'unlesbian' her, as inquiry hears work harassment rife

“From farm workers to scientists to the legal profession, submissions to the first national inquiry into sexual harassment at work have revealed diverse workplaces where sexual harassment is rife and complaints are ignored or poorly handled. One woman said she was verbally and physically assaulted by a senior colleague at a staff function who told her he needed to show her what a real man was so he could “unlesbian” her.”

 Ambitious 18-month timetable unveiled for defamation law reform

With the changes of online publishing and public interest journalism, the states and territories have agreed to an 18-month overhaul of the outdated defamation laws. “It is not yet clear if the reform process will lead to root and branch reform, as experts agree is required, or will result in tinkering around the edges of existing laws.”