Articles:

How does a 15-year-old boy who expressed sexual curiosity with a classmate end up on the sex offender’s register? What happened to this Perth teenager highlights how draconian the sex offender laws are in our state. The story is a catalyst for a call for reform.

New “meth-busting laws’ are set to be introduced into Western Australia with the passing of legislation which amends the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, and gives the Western Australian Police Force unprecedented powers in targeting and stopping methyl amphetamine (‘meth’) at the WA border – before it enters our communities.

A 15-year-old boy accused of firing three shots at a school north of Perth has been granted bail. But he won’t be going home.

11-year-old girl arrested, charged for violent assault on school student in Perth. Alleged attacker may face expulsion.

Terence Kelly sentenced to 13+ years for abducting Cleo Smith. Minimum 11.5 years before parole eligibility.

A Melbourne man was recently arrested and charged with assaulting a public officer on a Jetstar flight preparing to depart from Perth, after allegedly refusing to move back to his allocated seat prior to takeoff.

60+ players have joined a class action lawsuit, seeking compensation for injuries sustained while training or playing AFL between 1985 & March 14 2023. According to reports, players are seeking up to $1billion in damages, collectively.

Recently in Western Australia, four youth custodial officers were badly injured when youths at the Banksia Hill detention centre climbed onto the roof throwing metal and masonry at them.

A Perth man was recently arrested and charged with bigamy – allegedly being married to two women at the same time. In Australia, it is illegal to marry someone if you are already married to someone else.

Optus, Medibank and My Deal (a subsidiary of Woolworths) have all suffered massive data breaches in recent weeks, affecting millions of Australians.

There are now also calls for Western Australia to introduce a ‘One Punch’ law, similar to that which exists in New South Wales. These types of assaults very often result in death or serious injury.

A recent high profile case where juror misconduct occurred, highlighted the importance of an impartial jury in criminal trials.

Ms Tame was groomed when she was 15 and then repeatedly sexually abused by her 58-year-old teacher, Nicholas Bester, who was charged and convicted of the offence of "maintaining a sexual relationship with someone under the age of 17". Tame was named Tasmanian Australian of the Year 2021 in recognition of her efforts in pushing for legal reform and raising public…

Western Australian Police working with the Australian Federal Police have been conducting one of the state’s biggest investigations into child exploitation. In the past few weeks, police have executed more than 60 search warrants and 45 people have been charged with a total of 149 offences against children.

Western Australians who have been convicted of serious crimes will be able to pursue more direct avenues for appeal, with a change to state laws passed recently. New legislation allows individuals to make a second or subsequent challenge to their conviction if new, compelling evidence emerges.

At the centre of the news this week a senior police officer was reportedly stood down amid misconduct allegations being investigated by the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC). The CCC has not named the officer involved but the media have understood it to be a prominent WA detective.

An adult entertainer was recently arrested in Perth after frightening locals dressed in military-style clothing and a vest with “SWAT” embossed on the back, while brandishing what looked like an AR-15 assault rifle. The man has been charged with possessing a prohibited weapon and being armed in a way that may cause fear.

Australia’s harsh juvenile detention regime was in the spotlight again last week, with a report from the Banksia Hill juvenile facility in Perth, showing that about 100 of the cells were damaged so badly, they cannot be used.

A proposed law reform to be introduced into parliament this week is a reform to WA’s legislation relating to bail. The proposed reforms focus on laws relating to bail applications made on behalf of those accused of child sexual offences.

Affirmative sexual consent laws are now in effect in NSW – what does that mean? And how is it different to the law of consent in Western Australia?