Alternative Law Journal

DUAO - 2013 - Vol 38(1)

DownUnderAllOver Cartoon

Developments around the country

DownUnderAllOver is a round-up of legal news from both State and federal jurisdictions, and contains topical articles and short pieces from Alternative Law Journal committees around the country.

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FOI documents reveal mining lobby’s demand for EDO closure

Athea Vogl

New South Wales

In AltLJ 37(4), DUAO reported that the NSW Environmental Defender’s Office’s capacity to provide free legal advice on public interest environmental matters was under threat, due to the State Government’s refusal to provide the service with ongoing funding. In late 2012, the NSW Government cut funds to the EDO, provided through the Public Purpose Fund, and threatened that further cuts could be made after undertaking a statewide review of legal assistance services.

Cite as

(2013) 38(1) AltLJ 56

Category: DUAO - 2013 - Vol 38(1)

Boarding Houses Act

Chris Martin

New South Wales

The NSW State Government has enacted legislation to reform the State’s boarding house sector. The Boarding Houses Act 2012 reflects the convergence of pressure for reform from a number of fronts: the long campaign by housing and disability advocates for greater legal rights and protections for boarding house residents; revelations by the NSW State Ombudsman and the NSW State Coroner of appalling conditions and regulatory failures in licensed residential centres; and community concern about unlawful boarding house operations being run from houses and flats.

Cite as

(2013) 38(1) AltLJ 56

Category: DUAO - 2013 - Vol 38(1)

Injunction against coal seam gas near Newcastle

Elaine Johnson

New South Wales

The first injunction against coal seam gas development in New South Wales was granted by Justice Sheahan of the Land and Environment Court on 5 September 2012.

The Court’s interlocutory orders restrain the proponent, Dart Energy, from conducting any drilling for its pilot production program in Fullerton Cove near Newcastle. The injunction remains in place while the main case, heard before Justice Pepper on 15–19 October 2012, is being determined.

Cite as

(2013) 38(1) AltLJ 57

Category: DUAO - 2013 - Vol 38(1)

Research into the NSW police complaint system

Roxana Zulfacar, Gayatri Nair and Jane Goodman-Delahunty

New South Wales

New research has explored experiences and perceptions held by legal practitioners and community workers in relation to the NSW Police Force (‘NSWPF’) complaint system. The research, conducted by way of an online and anonymous survey, was a joint project between Charles Sturt University and Community Legal Centres NSW (‘CLCNSW’). The study explored the level of knowledge about complaint options, experiences and levels of satisfaction with the process and outcomes when assisting a client to make a formal complaint, and reasons expressed by clients who did not pursue complaints.

Cite as

(2013) 38(1) AltLJ 57

Category: DUAO - 2013 - Vol 38(1)

Proposed new bail laws

Jane Sanders

New South Wales

Following the release of the NSW Law Reform Commission’s report on Bail, (see AltLJ 37(3)), the eagerly-awaited government response appeared in late November 2012. It is expected that new legislation will be enacted this year, with a view to commencing in 2014.

Cite as

(2013) 38(1) AltLJ 57

Category: DUAO - 2013 - Vol 38(1)