Articles:

It’s the world’s oldest profession, and also the most controversial. Whilst sex work (‘prostitution’) is decriminalised in many other Australian jurisdictions, Western Australia is unique in largely criminalising the practice. Here’s what you need to know about the criminalisation of sex work and related activities in Western Australia.

Mandatory reporting laws for child abuse, child sexual abuse and neglect have been legislated throughout Australia’s States and Territories. Since 2009, doctors, nurses, midwives, teachers, and police officers have been mandated to report child sexual abuse.

Following on from our previous article on the Family Violence Legislation Reform Act 2020, further changes in Western Australia’s family and domestic violence laws came into effect from 1 January 2021.The changes followed from the introduction of new offences into the Criminal Code in October 2020 – Suffocation and Strangulation, and Persistent Family Violence.

When Victoria’s gangland wars were in full swing the Victorian police engaged Nicola Gobbo as a police informant. At the time, Ms Gobbo was working simultaneously as a lawyer who was acting for clients in high-profile criminal cases.

In cases where a person has been convicted of murder and the body has never been found former NSW crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen SC and Victorian barrister Sharon Kermath have called for State governments across Australia to consider a trial of the concept of administering truth serum.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.