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Law & order

A Way Forward

The Northern Australia Committee has tabled the final report of its  Inquiry into the destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.  The report follows on from the work of the Committee’s interim report  Never Again  tabled on the 9 December 2020.

MDBA loses appeal on limiting class action liability

A judgement handed down on Tuesday in the NSW Court of Appeal has left the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) without its defence of claiming it is a ‘public or other authority’ to limit liability in the class action brought over alleged negligent water management.

Beekeeping allowed to continue in Queensland national parks for now

The Queensland Government has approved the preparation of legislative amendments to grant a 20-year extension to allow beekeeping to continue in national parks until 2044 ... The decision will formally extend beekeeping permits for a further 20 years in certain national parks that were created as part of the SEQ Forest Agreement in 1999.

Who has been dumping asbestos and rubbish in the Byron Shire? ”‹

Byron Shire Council and the NSW Environment Protection Authority are investigating two illegal dumping incidents in the Byron Shire ... In both cases the materials were remnants from renovations including fibro sheets, some of which were asbestos, tiles, timber and a fridge.

Tania Maxwell votes to support timber industry

Tania Maxwell MP has opposed legislation that would adversely affect the timber industry in Northern Victoria. The Forests Legislation Amendment (Compliance and Enforcement) Bill 2019 will increase opportunities for prosecution against VicForests contractors in a move Ms Maxwell said was unnecessary and excessive.

Government introduces population growth factor to raise infrastructure funds for growing councils and communities

Shelly Hancock, NSW Minister for Local Government, announces that the NSW government will introduce a population growth factor in the annual rate peg from July 2022 to raise additional revenue for councils to fund key infrastructure in growing communities.

Couple set to appear in Supreme Court over post office theft charges

The former franchisee of the local post office and her husband have been accused of stealing more than $400,000 from Australia Post between March 2019 and May 2021.

Special ceremony marks National Police Remembrance Day

Catherine Grimley. The annual National Police Remembrance Day on 29 September honours all officers in Australasia and the South West Pacific Region, who were either killed in the line of duty or died whilst serving. It not only allows officers to remember the fallen, but families and the community to show their support and respect for officers who perform their duties to protect the community at large, a sometimes thankless task.

Murky water stirred by politics

The NSW Upper House inquiry into floodplain harvesting hadn’t even finished hearing evidence when a barrage of media releases came from the Victorian and NSW National Parties ... What caused this great flurry of excitement by the Nationals? It appears the excitement was generated by how floodplain harvesting sits as an offence under s60A of the Water Management Act. This does not mean floodplain harvesting is lawful, it just means that provision doesn’t catch it.

Evidence of environmental damage from floodplain harvesting disallowance: Pavey

Evidence presented this week at the NSW Upper House Select Committee on Floodplain Harvesting has shown without licencing, floodplain harvesting will increase across the state, having negative impacts on the environment. Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said evidence presented at the inquiry demonstrates the importance of regulating this activity.

Final draft of NSW voluntary assisted dying bill triggers community consultation

Community consultation has begun on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 after Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson received the final draft from Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich.

New protections for high value conservation areas

The NSW Government has announced the opening of nominations to identify and protect Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value (AOBVs) on both private and public lands across NSW.

Tennant man jailed for hammer attack on cousin

A 32-year-old Tennant Creek man has been sentenced to five years prison in the Darwin Supreme Court last Friday after he hit his cousin in the head with a hammer after a alcohol-fuelled day last December.

Trying to out-green the Greens: Bev McArthur

An attempt by Labor to increase penalties and offences for timber workers and timber harvesting has nothing to do with forest management, and everything to do with inner-city politics. Member for Western Victoria  Bev McArthur, has told the Victorian Parliament that Labor’s legislation is about sacrificing jobs in the bush to appease inner-city ideologues.

Canberra law firm launches Australia-first digital lifeline during Covid crisis

A new digital service offering a lifeline to those struggling to access legal support has been launched by Canberra family law firm Parker Coles Curtis. Loungeroom Lawyer, the first initiative of its kind in Australia, gives people who need after-hours legal advice the opportunity to speak directly with a family lawyer via video conference or phone, at a fixed price.

Cook MP votes in favour of controversial VAD bill

New laws allowing voluntary assisted dying in Queensland were passed by parliament last week. Member for Cook Cynthia Lui was one of the supporters of the legislation, which was a conscience vote for Labor and LNP politicians.

Expressions of interest open for inaugural animal welfare committee

Expressions of interest are now being called for the McGowan Government's inaugural Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.

Black day for black jewfish black marketeer

A charter boat skipper has been hit with more than $33,000 in fines and costs after being found guilty in the Mackay Magistrates Court of two charges, including a major black marketing offence.

Big fine for illegal mangrove clearing

A Maryborough man has been fined $25,000 in the Maryborough Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to destroying marine plants and conducting unauthorised works in a declared Fish Habitat Area at Kalah Creek.

NSW One Nation supports religious groups’ Federal Court challenge of lockdown laws

Mark Latham. NSW One Nation supports people fighting for their rights through the Australian legal system during this time of massive government failure in our State. We have record mental health cases, youth self-harm, businesses collapsing, and people losing their jobs and being isolated socially. The NSW Lockdown has failed in every respect. This is why we support the court challenge by NSW religious bodies to return to religious practice in a Covid safe and responsible way.

Queensland achieves nation-leading recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice

Queensland has marked the historic milestone of the opening of applications to recognise Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice under new law that translates as “for our children’s children’’. It follows more than 30 years of advocacy by Kupai Omasker Elders to allow Torres Strait Islanders raised by extended family to transfer their legal identity from birth parents to cultural parents.

Have your say on livestock biosecurity in the NT

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility and Territorians are being encouraged to join the conversation with the community consultation now open on the Northern Territory’s livestock biosecurity laws.

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