Done By Law: Recent Episodes
Members of the Federation of Community Legal Centres
Current legal issues presented by the Federation of Community Legal Centres, giving an alternative view of proposed legislation changes.
s own podcast here: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/podcasts/episode-15-legal-privilege-and-integrated-legal-assistance-services-podcast/
An interview with Zana Bytheway of Jobwatch about their telephone advice and casework service assisting Victorians with employment law issues
Sam Sowerwine and Miles Browne join Boni on the show to talk about NDIS reform. Sam is the Associate Director and Miles the Managing Lawyer of the Economic and Social Rights Program at Victoria Legal Aid. Sam and Miles helpfully run us through the recent changes to the scheme, the reason behind these changes and the concerns raised by advocates about the impact this reform will have on people with disabilities and their families.
Sarah Sacher joins Jimi and Boni to talk about a recent report published by the Human Technology Institute on the use of tech-enabled sureveillance tools, including AI, in the workplace. Sarah is a Senior Responsible Techonology Policy Specialist at the Human Technology Institute and works on influencing technology policy and law reform through a human rights lens. Sarah discusses the current state of worker surveillance in Australia and how the gaps and uncertainties in our current laws are failing both workers and employers. Sarah outlines the reform that is needed to ensure that the human rights of workers are better protected in this area. To find out more about this report and the work of the Human Technology Institute, head to: https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2026/03/australian-law-must-protect-workers-from-harmful-tech-enabled-surveillance
, currently on SBS On Demand, and the legal battles he has fought to keep the documentary online. Find the documentary here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/life-is-a-battlefield/Uli continues his advoacy through his foundation of the same name, Life is a Battlefield, found here: https://lifeisabattlefield.org/
There are many different situations in which people can find themselves unfairlytreated at work or sacked from their employment. In today’s show we are going to belooking at a few of those situations and the different rights, support, and processesyou can go through if that happens.Our guest is Siobhan Doyle who is the Principle Managing Lawyer of the Civiland Human Rights Practice at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service or VALS. VALSoften provide legal advice and represent clients in conciliations at the Fair WorkCommission when people are unfairly dismissed.
Every day in Victoria, people are subject to compulsory treatment orders. Those subject to these orders lose many of their rights and freedoms and are treated even where they do not agree. These processes have stripped people of their autonomy and caused lasting trauma for many. Today's guest is Jake, a 28-year-old Gunditjmara and Gunnaikurnai man and member of the LGBTIQ community. Jake joins Done By Law to share his reflections on being subject to several compulsory treatment orders and what changes he hopes to see in this space to better respect people's autonomy. This episode includes discussion of some difficult topics. If you need support, please call lifeline on 131 114 or 13YARN for mob on 139276.
Betia Shakiba is an Iranian refugee, human rights advocate and a solicitor at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Betia has long advocated for an improvement in the treatment of asylum seekers, calling for reduced barriers to seeking asylum in Australia. For Iranians like Betia Shakiba, the recent conflict between Iran and Israel is more than just a news headline and strikes at the heart of her lived experience, and the concerns she has for her family still in Iran. Betia joins us tonight to discuss the developing situation in Iran and what that means for the Iranian community both overseas and in Australia. Information for Iranians in Australia: Refugee Council of Australia : https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/support-for-people-fleeing-iran-gaza/ Refugee Advice and Casework Service - Info sheet: https://www.racs.org.au/legal-information - See ‘emerging legal issues’
Here on Done By Law we are typically talking to people who work in the law. But in this episode, we’re gaining insight from a man who has been subject to it.Earlier this year, Ronin was released from prison. His experiences both inside and out have been a cause for reflection and he is getting busy using the written word to share his insights and advice for those going through it themselves. He is putting the finishing touches on his book ‘Pri-Zen’, a reflection on his journey through the system and how he found peace in a place where people are punished. He has also recently written for the magazine (and our former guests) ‘About Time’ in an article called ‘Back on the Path of Freedom - Tips and reflections from someone who just came out’. He joins us on the show to share some of these reflections.
Protective Services Officers, or PSOs have existed in Australia since the late 1980s. Their role was significantly expanded in 2012.As many of our listeners will be aware, PSO are armed, uniformed officers who pop up at train stations, protests, and at public buildings like parliament and courts. They are part of Victoria Police, but what are their powers? And what are your rights when interacting with them? To help us understand these issues we’re joined tonight by Rory Hudson, a Managing Lawyer at Inner Melbourne Community Legal in their criminal law team. Rory has been a criminal lawyer for almost a decade and has worked in private practice, as well as for legal aid.Further resources:Both VLA and YouthLaw have useful Resources regarding PSOs:https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/protective-services-officershttps://youthlaw.asn.au/learn-about-the-law/protective-services-officers-psos/Inner Melbourne Community Legal have a dedicated Police Accountability Project, you can contact them for more information (03) 9328 1885If you need legal support jump on to the Federation of Community Legal Centre’s website where you can find your local CLC: https://www.fclc.org.au/find_a_community_legal_centreMelbourne Activist Legal have lots of resources for people engaging in protests which you can access at their website: https://mals.au/2023/11/05/your-rights-in-designated-areas/Victoria Legal Aid’s website has lots of resources including a Street Law Wallet Cardwhich you can download from their website: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/street-law-wallet-cardYou can also check out the police powers handbook: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/police-powers-your-rights-victoria Support the campaign for an independent police ombudsman here: https://www.policeombudsmannow.com.au/
This episode discusses gender-affirming care for transgender young people. We might mention suicide and self-harm. Listeners are advised.At the end of January this year, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced a review into healthcare for trans and gender-diverse children. The review will be conducted by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The rights of transgender people, and in particular the rights of trangender youth and their access to life-saving, gender-affirming care has become a political football worldwide. To help us unpack what this review might mean, and to help us understand this issue more broadly, we’re joined by Matthew Mitchell, a lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Deakin University, and an expert in LGBTQ people and the law.Matthew’s research focuses on LGBTQ people’s interactions with legal systems, media representations of gendered and sexual harm, and technology-facilitated violence. Matthew is currently writing a book on the legal regulation of gender-affirming hormones for young people in Australia.If this episode has raised issues for you or if you’re concerned about someone you know, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can also call QLife on 1800 184 527. Support is also available at: Switchboard, Queerspace, Transcend Australia, Transgender Victoria and Minus18.
Jimi is joined by two researchers at Liberty Victoria's Rights Advocacy Project, Britney Aguirre & Denham Sadler. They join the show to discuss their recently published report 'Unreasonable Grounds: Reforming Victoria Police’s stop and search powers'.You can find the full report here: https://www.rightsadvocacyproject.org/stop-and-searchIf you wish to contribute to Rights Advocacy Project, learn more and apply here: https://www.rightsadvocacyproject.org/apply-for-rap
Jimi is joined by Sanmati Verma, Principal Lawyer of Human Rights Law Centre, to discuss recent developments in migration law in Australia and the harsh legislative regimes imposed upon refugees, asylum seekers and stateless peoples in this country. Sanmati and her team at the Human Rights Law Centre have been at the forefront of this space and are eager to share with our listeners the radical policies being implemented in our own backyard. Sanmati Verma joined the Human Rights Law Centre in 2022 to lead the Centre’s work upholding the rights of people who migrate and seek asylum. She is an LIV accredited specialist in immigration law and has worked exclusively in the area for over a decade. Sanmati also works as an advisor to the United Workers Union, serves on the board of the Migrant Workers Centre and is the deputy chair of the national Visa Cancellation Working Group.
This episode Jimi and Britt chat with Rosie Heselev from About Time Media who publish a fantastic newspaper written almost entirely by incarcerated people called About Time. Rosie is the Managing Director of About Time. She previously worked as a lawyer at Fitzroy Legal Service and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. She’s also DBL alumni.This episode, Rosie shares some history on About Time, and reads some letters and articles from recent issues.You can read About Time at the website: https://www.abouttime.org.au/
Jimi is joined by Eric Hayward to unpack his submission, on behalf of the West Australian Greens First Nations Committee, to the Senate Standing Committee on Australia’s Youth Justice and Incarceration System; an ongoing inquiry which is due for final report in February 2025. Eric is an experienced and passionate social justice advocate and agent of change, with decades of experience in law & education. He is currently a Law School Guest Lecturer and confirmed PhD candidate at the University of Western Australia. Eric was the first Noongar to complete a UWA Law Degree in 1991 and was awarded the WA NAIDOC Aboriginal student of the year. After working as a WA and Federal public servant, Eric graduated from Edith Cowan University to work as a primary school teacher in difficult to staff schools throughout regional Western Australia from 2003-2018. Eric has since re-entered the legal profession as a Solicitor in a variety of roles. His highlights included delivering community legal education to school aged students in the South West, using Legal Aid’s R U Legal? Program.Eric is a father of six children and two grandchildren, with Noongar family connections to the South Coast and Great Southern Forest in Western Australia. He is recognised as an Elder, by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council.Join the campaign to #RaiseTheAge at https://raisetheage.org.au/
Community Legal Centres or CLCs have formed a critical part of Australia’s legal assistance landscape since before the state legal aid offices even existed. Yet they regularly have had to battle for sufficient funding to continue to provide their important community embedded services.As CLCs once again enter a funding crisis, we chat with CEO Louisa Gibbs from their Victorian peak body, the Federation of Community Legal Centres, about this and the national #SaveCommunityLegalCentres campaign. For more information, see: https://www.savecommunitylegalcentres.com/take-action.
Jimi and Aurora are joined by barrister Adam Chernock from Melbourne Activist Legal Service. They discuss legal protections for activists and police powers in light of the recent Disrupt Land Forces anti-war protests.
Jimi is joined by Afifeh Saeidavi, an Iranian Arab woman who came to Australia in 2012 with her family. Afifeh is one of more than 10,000 refugees who have been ignored and left in indefinite limbo for over 10 years due to Australia's failed 'fast track' system. For the last 51 days, refugees have been campaigning 24/7 for permanent visas through protests and encampments outside the offices of former immigration Minister Claire O’Neil and more recently the Department of Home Affairs in Docklands, as well as in other cities across the country. These protests call for an end to the limbo faced by thousands of asylum seekers in Australia. Afifeh gives an insight of her experience of the protests so far, as well as the suffering caused by the fast track system.
On this episode, Aurora & Jimi are joined by Amity Mara, Manager of Policy in the Social Action and Public Interest Law team at Fitzroy Legal Service. Amity joins us to discuss drug driving offences for medical cannabis patients. Under current Victorian law, someone can be found guilty of drug driving by having trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol chemicals in their system while driving, despite having a legal prescription and not being impaired by the drug. Fitzroy Legal Service argues this law is discriminatory. They believe everybody deserves to be able to take their prescribed medication without fear of unfair punishment. Tune in to see the law reform Fitzroy Legal Service and others are pushing for in this space. Fitzroy Legal Service are able to asisst with legal matters relating to today's topic. See more at their website: www.fls.org.au
We’re talking about the Dingo! Aurora & Jimi are joined by Mera Sivanesan from Environmental Justice Australia to discuss the cultural and ecological significance of dingoes, and the efforts EJA are undertaking to protect them.
On this episode, we speak with Laura Dreyfus and Danya Jacobs of the Ecosystem team from Environmental Justice Australia. Among many legal battles, they are currently putting their efforts into assisting the Dungallaba Kulumbirigin clan of the Larrakia people in the fight to protect their country from a large development project at Binybara, also known as Lee Point north of Darwin - a place of both cultural and environmental significance. Laura Dreyfus is a lawyer at Environmental Justice Australia who works with communities in the Northern Territory to protect nature and advocate for stronger legal protections for our ecosystems. Before joining EJA, Laura worked as a civil lawyer at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in the Northern Territory and as a medical negligence lawyer at a plaintiff law firm in Melbourne. Laura holds a Juris Doctor (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons).Danya Jacobs also joins us in the studio. Danya is a skilled litigator, advisor and legal commentator who focuses on protecting biodiversity and halting the extinction crisis. She collaborates with environment groups to bring novel litigation that improves law through precedent and protects nature from logging, land clearing and mining. Danya manages complex litigation in the Supreme and Federal Courts, speaks and writes on biodiversity law, and advocates for legal change. In 2022, Danya was awarded the Law Council of Australia’s Mahla Pearlman Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year. To find out more, go to: https://envirojustice.org.au/
A warning to our listeners, this episode discusses family violence, family violence intervention orders, and gendered violence. This week Northern Community Legal Centre released two research reports examining the use of different online technologies in the family violence intervention order process. To discuss the reports and their findings we are joined by Northern Community Legal Centre’s, Partnerships & Community Development Manager, Tania McKenna. Regarding language we will be talking about women who have experienced family violence and referring to them as victim/survivors acknowledging there are different preferences for women.You can find out more about the Northern Community Legal Centre here: https://www.northernclc.org.au/.
Co-hosts Jimi & Lizzie are joined by Jess de Vries, Director of Legal Services at Women's Legal Service Victoria, to discuss a number of the incredible efforts undertaken by the WLSV team across the State. Whether discussing family law, criminal law, VOCAT, child protection or social work, Jess provides some fascinating insights into what her team are doing to support some of Victoria's most vulnerable communities.
Jimi & Liz are joined by Jo Parkin & Shifrah Blustein of the Infringements Working Group to give us the lay of the legal land for those finding themselves in a sticky situation when it comes to fines and infringements. A community legal centre or financial counsellor may be able to help you with your fines, especially if you have multiple fines and you have an experience of family violence, homelessness, mental health issues or disability, or drug and alcohol misuse.Find your local community legal centre: https://www.fclc.org.au/find_a_community_legal_centreFind your local financial counsellor: 1800 007 007 Information about the fines system that may help you self-manage your fine is available here:Law HandbookJustice Connect Homeless Law
Lauren Levin of Financial Counselling Australia joins Jimi & Britt to discuss the hidden epidemic of gambling harm in Australia.
Listeners please be advised that in this episode we discuss topics including family and domestic violence, sexual assault, and mental ill health. In this episode we hear about Health Justice Partnership from CEO of Health Justice Australia, Tessa Boyd-Caine. This important justice movement creates opportunities for lawyers and health care and other providers to assist their clients and communities with overlapping justice needs. Health Justice Australia was formed in 2016 and work to support the Health Justice Partnership movement across Australia.To learn more visit: https://healthjustice.org.au/
Amy Schneider from Economic Justice Australia joins hosts Britt & Jimi in their discussion of the recent Robodebt report.
This special week is NAIDOC week, a week in which we celebrate the history, culture and achievements of First Nations people. This episode, we are very lucky to have Mrs. Bettina Cooper on our show who we pay respect to.Mrs. Bettina Cooper is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Boandik people of First Nations of South East Australia near what we now call Mount Gambier in South Australia and for many thousands and thousands of years Bettina’s ancestors lived on that country.Bettina is an experienced Aboriginal Financial Counsellor and currently works as Mob Strong Financial Counsellor and Strategy Lead at the Financial Rights Legal Centre, NSW and the Campaign Coordinator for the Save Sorry Business Coalition . In both roles, Bettina advocates for people who are disadvantaged as a result of language, literacy skills, geographical isolation, low income, disability, trauma or related factors. She is passionate about supporting her community.Recently Save Sorry Business Coalition won the Consumers’ Federation of Australia’s Showcase advocacy award for their campaigning on action to support First Nations consumers impacted by the collapse of funeral insurer Youpla. We congratulate Bettina and the Save Sorry Business Coalition on the recent and very well-deserved award.
Housing has become an increasingly desperate situation for so many in the community, and renters are often the most vulnerable and at risk of poverty and homelessness. The current private tenancy rates are sitting well below 1% in many parts of the state, and suitable accommodation stock is often worse for those with little to spend or who need access to critical services. On top of that, many renters have been slugged with massive increases on their rent, making keeping a roof over their head very hard, and with nowhere available to go. Done By Law recently spoke to RAHU (Renters and Housing Union), but given the immense amount of pressure many in our community are feeling about their housing stability, we’re focusing on the legal rights of renters and cases currently being taken to VCAT or other Courts to consider these issues. To help us understand, we’re joined tonight by Amy Frew. Amy is the Director of Client Services at Tenants Victoria, a specialist CLC that serves renters statewide. Tenants Victoria’s vision is for a safe, secure and affordable home for Victorian renters in a fair housing system. For more information visit: https://tenantsvic.org.au/contact-us/
It’s National Reconciliation Week, and we’re all talking about the Voice to Parliament for First Nations Australians.There’s a lot of myths swirling around about this proposed change to our Federal Constitution. So, this episode of Done by Law is about myth-busting that chatter.Tom Warne-Smith, senior lawyer at West Heidelberg Community Legal joins us to help sort out and explain a few of those misconceptions, from the law perspective.
In this episode of Done by Law, Ingrid and Beth look at the ANZAC legend and its 21st Century legacy – a century during which Australia has continued to participate in foreign conflicts (with allegations of serious war crimes committed against civilians by Australian troops in Afghanistan) and where it might be said that violations of the laws of war appear to have occurred without sufficient scrutiny or, as yet, redress in domestic or international systems. We’re joined by Dr Carolyn Holbrook, a Senior Lecturer in the Contemporary Histories Research Group at Deakin University, and the Director of Australian Policy and History. Her latest book, Lessons from History: Leading Historians Tackle Australia's Greatest Challenges was published in July 2022. She is writing a history of Australians' attitudes towards their federal system of government, and co-authoring with Professor James Walter a history of policy-making in Australia. Carolyn is the author of the award winning book, Anzac: The Unauthorised Biography, about the history of how Australians have remembered the First World War, and co- edited The Great War: Aftermath and Commemoration (2019). We then speak with Professor Felicity Gerry KC, an international King’s Counsel at Libertas Chambers, London and Crockett Chambers, Melbourne, largely defending in serious and complex criminal trials and appeals, often with an international element. Felicity is admitted to the list of counsel for the International Criminal Court and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague and in England & Wales and in Australia and has had ad hoc admission in Hong Kong and Gibraltar. Felicity is an Honorary Professor at Salford University in the School of Health and Society where her research focus is on Autism and criminal law, FGM law and Child Rights. She is also Professor of Legal Practice at Deakin University where she is unit chair for Contemporary International Legal Challenges. Postcript - at the time this show aired, 25 April 2023, no allegations of war crimes associated with Australia's special forces in Afghanistan have been proven. Image: Unassailable Heroes (Pioneer) Man with Whip and Sacred Cows, and the Band played Waltzing MatildaArtist: John CITIZEN (aka) Gordon BennettAboriginal/IndigenousDate: 1996Medium/Material: synthetic polymer, pencil and watercolour on paperState Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia© The Estate of Gordon Bennett
Dylan and Indy speak with Eirene Tsolidis Noyce about renter's rights, the 'rental crisis', and RAHU.Learn more about RAHU here: https://rahu.org.au/
This week on Done by Law our very special guest is a true access to justice hero - Gerard Brody. After 10 years as CEO of Consumer Action law Centre, Gerard is stepping away from his role. Listen in as Gerard looks back over his incredible achievements during this time. He covers the rewards, the challenges, unfinished business and advice for future consumer law advocates.
This week on Done by Law we chat about Specialist Family Violence Courts. Why are they needed? What do they look like? Why aren't these in place already?Listen in to Belinda Lo from Eastern Community Legal Centre, and Rachel Pliner from the Federation of Community Legal Centres talk about this crucial part of the justice system.
In this episode of Done By Law we feature audio from the wonderful seminar ‘Women’s Lived Experience in Decarceration and Carceral Resistance’, held on Monday 24 October 2022 at the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne.This evening of discussion, reflections and solutions was hosted by Fitzroy Legal Service and featured the insightful contributions of a number of expert panellists, including practitioners, and women with lived experience of incarceration and the criminal justice system. Panel 1 – Systemic changes required to address women’s over-incarcerationElena Campbell (Moderator) – Centre for Innovative JusticeKaren Fletcher – Flat OutLisa Abbott – TaskForceElena Pappas – LACWMegan Pearce – VLAPanel 2 – Women’s Lived ExperienceNina Storey (Moderator) – Homes Not Prisons, Women Transforming JusticeJacqui Bampton – Women Transforming JusticeSara Stilianos – Homes Not Prisons, Women Transforming JusticeJasmine Barzani – Homes Not PrisonsWe have unfortunately only been able to feature 30 minutes of this jam packed two and a half hour evening. To watch the whole event, head to YouTube via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB_TlMR3tTo&ab_channel=FitzroyLegalService ***Full biographies Panel 1: Elena Pappas LACWElena is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women, and community legal centre established specifically to combat women's increasing criminalisation and imprisonment. She also sits on the Board as an Executive Director. Elena is a passionate advocate and leader who is dedicated to working collaboratively with organisation and individuals to address the causes of women’s criminalisation. She currently leads LACW’s policy and systemic advocacy work, and is Co-Convenor of Smart Justice for Women, a sub-committee of the broader Smart Justice coalition convened by the Federation of Community Legal Centres. Elena previously worked at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service where she held the position of Senior Lawyer in the Criminal Law team. She advised and appeared on behalf of clients in complex criminal matters and shared responsibility for the mentoring and management of junior and support staff. Prior to this, Elena was an Associate in the Workplace Relations team of a private law firm in Melbourne. She holds a Master of Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne. She has worked as a volunteer with the Mental Health Legal Centre, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and Fitzroy Legal Service.Lisa AbbottTaskforceLisa Abbott is the Executive Manager Social Impact and Growth at TaskForce Community Agency, a not-for profit operating in Victoria delivering a suite of services to our most marginalised. Lisa has worked with those in contact with the justice system for 20 years in Government and community and over the last five years has been leading the development and delivery of the Living Free Project, a project supporting vulnerable girls and women who are at risk of, or are in early contact with, the justice system. The project drives cross sectoral collaboration and seeks to improve service system responses to enhance how our health and community sectors support women who often fall through service gaps.Karen FletcherFlat OutKaren Fletcher is the Executive Officer of Flat Out Inc, a community organisation that supports and advocates for women and trans and gender diverse people to get out and stay out of prison. She is a lawyer by trade has worked as a prison advocacy lawyer at Fitzroy Legal Service and Prisoners Legal Service QLD and as a public health lawyer, with a special interest in drug decriminalisation, in government and non-government agencies. She is an activist in the Homes not Prisons campaign in Victoria.Megan PearceVLAMegan has spent much of her career working alongside criminalised people, particularly women and children. Having started her career as a criminal defence lawyer at Legal Aid Queensland, Megan has also led major law reform inquiries into Victoria’s criminal trial process and child protection system.Between 2018 and 2022, Megan worked at Darebin Community Legal Centre (which merged with Fitzroy Legal Service in 2019), first managing the Women Transforming Justice project and then Fitzroy Legal Service’s Social Action and Public Interest Law team. In both these roles Megan contributed to program design and advocacy work aimed at disrupting the cycle of women’s criminalisation. In July 2022 Megan commenced a role at Victoria Legal Aid focusing on discrimination and equality law.In 2013-14, Megan also completed a master of laws at the University of Toronto, where her thesis critiqued the effectiveness of human rights frameworks to respond to violence against womenElena CampbellCIJAssociate Director of Research, Advocacy & Policy, Centre for Innovative Justice, RMIT University. Elena is a lawyer, writer and former political staffer who has worked in legal and social policy for over two decades. Elena's expertise includes therapeutic justice, court interventions, the impacts of crime victimisation and the prevention and elimination of violence against women and children. At the CIJ, Elena oversees a program of research which predominantly focuses on family violence, court interventions, crime victimisation and the way in which experiences of trauma - including structural and systemic trauma - can push vulnerable cohorts, particularly women, into contact with the criminal justice system. Elena has led projects for Government departments and courts to support the implementation of recommendations from Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence. Elena has also been Principal Chief Investigator in multiple, ANROWS-funded projects looking at the use of violence by young people and adults. Previously Elena worked as a legal adviser and staffer in the Victorian Government for over a decade. Elena has also been employed as a consultant for a range of social policy and justice organisations, including the Australian Human Rights Commission. Panel 2: Nina StoreyHNP and WTJNina is an unapologetic criminalized survivor. Having experienced state sanctioned violence she now spends her time advocating for the rights of criminalized survivors. Nina would love to see the abolishment of the prison industrial complex in her lifetime. Her systemic advocacy commenced in 2018 as a member of the Women’s Transforming Justice Project. Nina now sits on the council of Victim Survivors Advisory Council, is a member of the Expert Advisory Panel at Safe and Equal, a WEAVER for research group at Melbourne University and sits on the steering committee of the Homes Not Prisons Campaign. Nina stands in solidarity with the traditional owners of these lands and acknowledges they have the solutions to living in a world of unity, we must make space and elevate their voices for their stories to be told and shared. Nina lives works and plays in Millowl, Phillip island on the lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin nations, with her son and Kelpie. Jacqui BamptonWTJ Jacqui is a formally incarcerated woman who has worked with Fitzroy Legal Service as part of the Women’s Leadership Group. She lives with anxiety and mental health concerns, and has previously struggled with substance dependency and homelessness. Jacqui is deeply passionate about working alongside other criminalised people, with a particular interest in supporting women to navigate child protection. Jacqui is a warm advocate, loyal friend and proud single mum. Sara-Michelle StilianosSara is an active member of several community groups and organisations aimed at ending incarceration – including as a Homes Not Prisons steering committee member and – previously – as part of Fitzroy Legal Service’s Women Transforming Justice project. Sara has lived experienced of criminalisation and incarceration. She’s driven toward social change and is a fierce advocate for abolishing the carceral system and it’s supporting structures, which only serve to perpetuate further harm and violence by exerting power and control over people’s lives. Alongside studying a Bachelor Degree in Social Science, Sara stands in solidarity with all oppressed women and continues to fight for the rights of women and children.
In this show, we are looking at the phenomenon of using foreign judges in Pacific states in light of the constitutional crisis currently faced by the Pacific state of Kiribati, which has sprung from the suspension of a number of foreign judges in recent weeks by the Kiribati government. We will be looking at the Kiribati crisis and international responses to it, and will delve more broadly into the practice of using foreign – or non-citizen – judges and whether and how the nationality of the judges on a domestic court matters.We are joined by an expert in this field, Dr Anna Dziedzic. Anna is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Laureate Program in Comparative Constitutional Law at Melbourne Law School. She researches comparative constitutional law and judicial studies, with a particular focus on the Pacific region.Anna holds a PhD from Melbourne Law School, an MA in Human Rights from University College London and a Bachelor of Arts and Law from the Australian National University. She is the author of ‘Foreign Judges in the Pacific’ and co-editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Foreign Judges on Domestic Courts, a global comparative study of foreign judging.
Dylan and Jeremie interview Dr Rachael Burgin, lecturer in criminal justice and criminology at Swinburne Law School and the CEO of Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy (RASARA), and Shaun Ginsbourg, experienced trial and appellate criminal barrister who appears for both the defence and prosecution, and is a member of the Criminal Bar Association. Guests discuss new affirmative consent laws which requires accused persons to demonstrate consent was given under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) for sexual assault.
Prior to the recent interest rate increase, there was an alarming number of Victorians that were in mortgage stress. About half (44%) of Victorian households with a mortgage were in mortgage stress in late March 2022. Eight of the top 12 postcodes in Australia experiencing highest numbers of mortgage stress are in Victoria.In this episode, we are exploring what mortgage stress is and what services Mortgage Stress Victoria provides. The guests joining us are Stephanie Tonkin, Director of Operations + Strategy and Yvonne Montfort, a Social Work program manager at Mortgage Stress Victoria.
Indy and Jeremie discuss working with young people and mandatory sentencing schemes with Angus from Westjustice and Tim from YouthlawWEstjustice is a community organisation that provides free legal help to people in the Western suburbs of Melbourne.Youthlaw is Victoria’s state-wide free community legal centre for young people under 25 years of age.
On 10 May 2022, a raft of sex work specific advertising criminal laws were repealed in Victoria. This relaxation of advertising laws is the first set of sex industry law changes following the passage of the Sex Work Decriminalisation Act 2022 in February.Tonight, we are exploring what this change in the law landscape means for sex workers.Joining us here in the studio is Matthew Roberts, Policy Advisor at Sex Work Law Reform Victoria.
In this show we looked at the Living Wonders Legal Intervention. Community legal centre Environmental Justice Australia, on behalf of their client Environment Council of Central Queensland, has submitted 19 reconsideration requests to federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, asking her to reconsider the first stage of the assessment of almost every pending coal and gas proposal and expansion across the country, currently on her desk. These reconsideration requests have been submitted under a rarely used provision of the Commonwealth legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (under section 78A).We were fortunate to be joined by one of the lawyers from Environmental Justice Australia, Brittni Dienhoff. Brittni specialises in climate projects and has worked closely on the Living Wonders legal intervention.
The ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) provides services for asylum seekers and refugees, such as access to housing, food banks, clothing drives, healthcare and social work. Jimi Muirhead, a solicitor at the ASRC, joins us tonight to share about what the ASRC does, what rights asylum seekers have and difficulties they face.
Community Legal Centres are independent community organisations that provide free legal services to the public. They exist to enable a strong collective voice for justice and equality, using the law as a tool to achieving this.We are fortunate to be joined by two deeply experienced and dedicated CLC lawyers. The first of these is Linh Cao, Managing Criminal Lawyer at the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women, a CLC designed specifically for women who are in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system.We are also lucky to be joined by Meghan Fitzgerald, who joined Fitzroy Legal Service in 2008 and for a number of years held the role of Manager of Social Action, Policy and Law Reform. In October 2020 she took on a new role of Special Counsel, leading the strategic litigation and campaign work. Meghan also sits on the Board of Harm Reduction Australia.JOIN US to hear all the ins and outs of life as a CLC lawyer!
In this episode we are looking at Indigenous Legal Judgments, a collection of key legal decisions affecting Indigenous Australians, which have been re-imagined so as to be inclusive of Indigenous people’s stories, historical experience, perspectives and worldviews. The collection was edited by Professor Heather Douglas and Associate Professor Nicole Watson and was published last year. Within the collection, Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars have collaborated to rewrite 16 key legal judgments. Spanning from 1889 to 2017, the judgments reflect the trajectory of Indigenous people’s engagements with Australian law. The collection includes decisions that laid the foundation for the wrongful application of terra nullius and disavowal of native title. Contributors have also challenged narrow judicial interpretations of native title, which have denied recognition to Indigenous people who suffered the prolonged impacts of dispossession. Various authors have shown how judicial officers can use their power to challenge systemic racism and tell the stories of Indigenous people who have been dehumanised by the criminal justice system.We are fortunate tonight to be joined by one of the collection’s editors, Associate Professor Nicole Watson. Nicole Watson is an Indigenous legal scholar, who belongs to the Munanjali and Birri Gubba Peoples of Queensland. She is currently employed as the Director of the Academic Unit in the Nura Gili Centre for Indigenous Programs, University of New South Wales. We are also lucky to be joined by one of the collection’s contributors, Mary Spiers Williams. Mary is from the Australian National University where she is Sub Dean (Indigenous Studies) for the College of Arts and Social Science’s Executive, as well as being a lecturer in law. Her research primarily concerns the impact of state laws on First Peoples, centring the knowledges, law and insights of the First Peoples of Australia. She brings to her research insider-outsider perspectives – including that borne of her experiences as a legal practitioner and her identity and status as a woman descended from coloniser-settlers and First Peoples of the sandstone country that stretches north from the Dyarubbin (aka the Hawkesbury River).
Dylan and Jeremie speak with Glenn and Ben about the Spent Convictions Act and what this means for those in the community with a criminal record.
Indy speaks with Lynda from Women's Legal Service Victoria and Estelle from the Police Accountablity Project about the misidentification of primary aggressors in family violence matters.Monitoring Victoria's Family Violence Reforms: Accurate Identification of the Predominant AggressorWomen's Legal Service VictoriaPolice Accountability Project
Do you use ‘buy now pay later’ services like Afterpay, Zip Pay, Zip Money, Humm, Bundl? Maybe you’ve gotten yourself in a little deeper than you intended. Did you know that the law does not treat these the same way as credit cards? So, you may not have as much legal protection as you imagined. Our guests this week, Tom Abourizk and Claude Von Arx from Consumer Action Law Centre tell us about how the use and regulation of these products could be made better.
For this episode of Done By Law we are joined by Nerita Waight, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), to discuss ending Aboriginal deaths in custody and the Victorian Coroner’s recent report on Aboriginal deaths by suicide. We are also lucky to be able to feature audio from VALS' Invasion Day webinar on Friday 21 January 2022, with a star line up including Meriki Onus, Marcus Stewart and Tarneen Onus Williams. Listen to the full webinar and view links to important resources recently produced by VALS here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKLZLQo6Gq0&ab_channel=VictorianAboriginalLegalService
This week Adnan Choopani speaks to us about his experiences in immigration detention. Chris Breen joins him to discuss the work of Refugee Action Collective.Adnan is an Iranian refugee who faced persecution as an Ahwazi Arab in Iran. He came by boat to Australia when he was 15, he was detained on Nauru, and is now detained in the Park Hotel after being transferred to Australia for medical treatment. Though he has committed no crime, he has spent over 8 years, more than a third of his life, detained by Australia. He is an activist for refugee rights, and a musician.Chris Breen is a long term refugee activist with the Refugee Action Collective. He is a science and maths teacher and an Australian Education Union sub-branch president at his school.https://rac-vic.org/RAC meets every Monday at 6.30pm, currently via Zoom. www.facebook.com/racvic
Image Source: abc.net.au 18/12/2019In this episode, we discuss bail laws in the criminal justice system and how these connect to social inequality, especially in relation to gender and race.Remember the public outcry in recent times about violent men out on bail committing even more violent crimes? The government responded by introducing tougher bail laws. But has this tough approach created the desired effect? Or has something else been the upshot?This episode focusses on the increasing percentage of women, especially First Nations women, being placed in custody and how this phenomenon might be connected to toughening of bails laws.Our special guest is LaTrobe University academic, Emma Russell, who is doing research in this area.
Our special guest is LaTrobe university law academic Dr Laura Griffin, who is researching human breast milk sharing and the law. Gemma and Su chat with Laura about how women support women by sharing breast milk, and what the legal system makes of this.
This week on Done By Law we look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021. After being introduced into parliament on 26 October 2021, the new laws proposed by this bill have led to recent Melbourne protests and some extreme rhetoric, including threats of harm to sitting members of parliament, associated with right-wing extremists. Members of the legal community have produced a more nuanced analysis of both the benefits of the Bill, and also how it could be improved. The Bill’s passage into law was frustrated last week, and the government passed a motion to postpone debate so that further negotiations can take place. The government has said that it must pass new legislation before 15 December, when the current state of emergency expires. We’re lucky to be joined by Gregory Buchhorn from Liberty Victoria, who will talk us through the bill. Liberty Victoria is a peak civil liberties organisation in Australia, and has been working to defend and extend human rights and freedoms in Victoria since 1936. Its members include lawyers, policy and advocacy experts, businesspeople, academics, community activists and students. https://libertyvictoria.org.au/content/liberty-victoria-comment-public-health-and-wellbeing-amendment-pandemic-management-bill-2021
Dylan and Jeremie speak with Mairead from Young Workers Centre and Liam from United Worker's Union - HospoVoice about wage theft laws which came into effect on 01 July 2021.We discuss what wage theft is, how rampant wage theft is, what these new laws change, and where to get help.https://www.youngworkers.org.au/https://www.facebook.com/youngworkerscentrehttps://www.twitter.com/youngworkersvichttps://unitedworkers.org.au/https://www.hospovoice.org.au/https://www.facebook.com/HospoVoice/https://www.instagram.com/hospo.voice/https://twitter.com/hospovoice
The amazing Akuch Anyieth gives a facinating insight into the world of interpreting in the legal system.
This week on Done By Law we chat with Sex Work Law Reform Victoria about the new Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021 (Vic), which marks the most significant development in the sex workers’ rights movement in Victoria to date.On 12 October 2021, the Victorian Government introduced a sex work decriminalisation bill into the Lower House of parliament, and this is anticipated to pass into law by the second of December 2021. The new laws would replace Victoria’s outdated licensing system, which criminalises consensual adult sex work. It marks the culmination of decades of work by sex workers advocating to be treated in the same way as other workers, and will greatly improve the safety of their workplace. Victoria is the fourth jurisdiction in the world to decriminalise sex work. Tonight we’re lucky to be joined by Matthew, a sex worker and the Policy Officer at Sex Work Law Reform Victoria. Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is an independent non-partisan volunteer group led by sex workers, lobbying for the full decriminalisation of consensual adult sex work in Victoria. Matthew will speak with us about this bill and what it means for sex workers. https://sexworklawreformvictoria.org.au/sex-workers-welcome-victorian-government-announcement-to-decriminalise-sex-work/
Dylan and Indy are joined by Ilo from PAP and Thomas from MALS to discuss militarisation of police.https://www.policeaccountability.org.au/https://melbactivistlegal.org.au/
Indy and Jeremie discuss the new Identify and Disrupt laws with guests Angus Murray and Lizzie O'Shea. More info on this topic:https://melbactivistlegal.org.au/2021/08/26/identify-and-disrupt-bill/https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/2021/09/02/australias-new-mass-surveillance-mandate/https://privacy.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/110221_Submission-to-PJCIS-Identify-Disrupt-Bill.pdf
This week on Done by law, we are talking about sex work. Currently in Victoria there is a review of the sex industry laws underway. Decriminalisation is on the table. There is a really interesting history to the way sex work has been dealt with by our justice system. Tess and Su chat with Barbara Minchinton, an expert on this history. Barbara's new book, Women of Little Lon, is focussed on the sex workers of Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne during the early 20th century. Part of that history is the law that surrounded sex work. We discuss connections between the old days and the 21st century situation, including what lessons we've learnt from the past, and what decriminalisation might achieve.
Dylan and Jeremie discuss the impacts of the recent changes to NT bail laws and their impact on young people with Mililma from Uprising of the People (UP). Facebook UprisingofthepeopleInstagram @uprisingofthepeopleYou can read more about this here: SBS News Article
Sex Work and Access to Banking Services with special guests Denis Nelthorpe AM and Dean
Imagine if nature itself could fight back, legally, for its own protection against those who seek to destroy it? Recent 'next generation' laws around the world which hold that the natural environment has legal personhood and/or legal rights aim to enable just this. We talk with water law and policy specialist Dr Erin O'Donnell and respected Wurundjeri elder Aunty Diane Kerr OAM about the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017, a similar Victorian law aiming to protect the Birrarung (Yarra river).https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways-and-catchments/protecting-the-yarra/yarra-river-protection-act?fbclid=IwAR2PAmLHddJgZ2OOxGtc8ojQBUfgQ6OaPcvdgvf4CbPtGHJs71Gy1zzdWvM
Su, Meg and Tess speak to Suzie Wnukowska-Mtonga and Sarah Schwartz about Movement Lawyering and Australia's first Rebellious Law Conference. For more information about the conference, visit https://reblaw.com.au/.
On an average night in 2020 there were 798 young people in detention in Australia almost half of these young people are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children.Tess, Rose, Bonnie and Meg take a look at Raise the Age, a public campaign to increase the age of criminal responsibility, and the rights of children with Guests: Meena Singh from the Human Rights Law Centre and Anoushka Jeronimo from the Youth Law Program at West Justice.
Hosts Indy and Dylan interview Larissa Baldwin, First Nation's Justice Campaign Director at GetUp. Larissa explains how Australia's cultural protection laws fail to protect Aboriginal sacred cultural sites and allow private companies to destroy and exploit country. Larissa discusses GetUp's campaign with traditional owners to stand together with First Nation's people and call for greater cultural protection. Find out more here: https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/first-nations-justice-campaigns/heritage-act-video/watch-and-share
"Women and Mentoring (WAM) offers a unique, early intervention program that supports women charged with a criminal offence by matching them individually with a supportive female mentor. The volunteer mentors are trained and resourced to provide appropriate support to the program participants, to share their skills and to contribute to the wider community." - Women and Mentoring Website We delve more into this unique and inspiring volunteer lead program based in Melbourne. We get an inside look into how the mentor and mentee relationship has indelibly transfromed the life of Sammy, a woman caught up in the criminal justice system in Melbourne. To find out more and participate or donate to Women and Mentoring head to their website: http://womenandmentoring.org.au
Su Robertson and Daniel Bavcevic dicuss the submissions made to the Australian Productivity Commission regarding the 'Right to Repair' and how to improve consumer accessiblity to enforcing this right and the social and environmental benefits this will have for the community.Our guest is Brigette Rose, Senior Policy Officer at Consumer Action Law Centre. Brigette is the author of a recent submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into the Right to Repair.View the Consumer Action Law Centre submission here: https://consumeraction.org.au/right-to-repair-submission-to-productivity-commission-inquiry/
The Australian Government, headed up by the ACCC, has conducted an indepth inquiry into the digital platforms, and has come up with a proposed media bargaining code, which was revealed earlier this year. The Code has a number of aspects to it, but has drawn most attention for the way it proposes to force the platforms to pay Australian media companies and local content in their search and on their feeds. Suffice to say the digital platforms aren't happy.Google and Facebook have come out fighting against the Australian government's news media bargaining Code, and have accused the Code of potentially 'breaking' the internet, and threatened to remove their services.The showdown is the latest example of the immense power struggles being waged between State actors and the new world superpowers; big tech. How can and should the law be used to regulate online platforms, and is Australia's Code the best way of doing it?Gemma and Daniel discuss with academic and senior lecturer Dr Jake Goldenfein from University of Melbourne Law Scool and Lizzie O'Shea, a lawyer and writer of the book ‘Future Histories’. Lizzie is also a founding member of Digital Rights Watch.Show Notes/ Links:Digital Rights Watch made a submission to the Economics Legislation Committee on the proposed Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code) Bill 2020. ACCC News Media Bargaining Code project page
Sam, Gemma and Greg tackle the pressing questions - Can I return to Victoria after my from holiday? Are rent reductions still availabe? When do I need my face mask? And what about protesting? The team provides a quick update on changes to the law to date.
Su, Gemma and Daniel are joined by PhD candidate at the Australian National University and former Canberra Community Law solicitor, Radhika Chaudhri, to discuss new ways of ensuring Australian courts consider Economic Violence in a family violence context. We discuss new ways of using some old school legal ideas to get lawyers and judges thinking differently about this problem. We chat about mortgages, consumer contracts and other situations where women find themselves in crisis because of financial abuse.For the law nerds out there, the discussion is about the application of the equitable doctrine of undue influence to financial abuse cases in the Family Court and Supreme Courts. Radhika Chaudhri's research on this topic can be found published in the Australian Journal of Family Law in her article titled "Tackling financial abuse with the doctrine of undue influence".
Many working in Community Legal Centres are still subject to workplace agreements which expired in 2009. Without change soon, already-low wages in the sector may stagnate, employees will continue to experience insecure work, and many passionate CLC lawyers may be hampered in pursuing systemic advocacy. Dylan Goldsworthy, Youth Lawyer from the Northern Community Legal Centre, joined us to discuss calls to revisit the CLC sector's workplace agreement.
Warning: this episode discusses the court process following reports of sexual violence or homicide as well as recent, well publicised sexually violent crimes which some listeners may find distressing.Nationally, many states have made changes to their laws to make sure victim/survivors of sexual assault can tell their stories, in their own words without court processes. However, proposed changes to the laws in Victoria have garnered criticism from victim/survivor advocates and groups, who consider these changes are regressive and put the power back in the hands of the accused. On the other hand, the Victims of Crime Commission thinks the government has got the balance right between a victim/survivor's right to privacy and their ability to self-identify. So what exactly is going on? Why have these laws become so divisive? We speak to Melbourne barrister Greg Bucchorn, who explains this complex legal landscape.
Su Robertson and Daniel Bavcevic interview Tiffany Overall (Advocacy and Human Rights Officer, Youthlaw) and Lloyd Murphy (Lawyer, Inner Melbourne Community Legal) about the community impact of COVID-19 fines and the worrying trend of internal reviews not being fairly considered by Victoria Police."It is troubling because the bottom line is, as community lawyers, we're not going to be giving advice to our clients to go through that process if we don't think there's any merit to their review." - Tiffany Overall (Youthlaw)In this episode we listen to reports of community legal service clients having internal reviews for COVID-19 infringements rejected. We hear about young people, people experiencing homelessness, suffering from mental illnesses or other vulnerable people who have had internal reviews rejected without detailed explanation of the reasons by Police.There are limited options after an unsuccessful internal review, it may lead to an Enforcement Review by the Government authority Fines Victoria. However, beyond that there is the possibility that the infringement is then sent to the Magistrates' Court of Victoria for determination. Su and Daniel ask whether there is a better alternative to the expensive infringements being issued, especially for young people and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and whether this might cause an inundation of infringement related cases in the Magistrates' Court.
Su and Greg spoke with Tanja Kovac, CEO of Gender Equity Victoria, about the recent passing of Ruth Baden Ginsburg and Susan Ryan who were both iconic feminist trailblazers, their legacies in championing for sex anti-discrimination laws - in the courtroom and in parliament - and the new Victorian Gender Equality Act.
In this episode of Done by Law, Ingrid and Marissa talk about Indigenous stories, and who owns them. They are joined by Tony Briggs, a Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung) theatre & film practitioner, who is the creator and writer of feature film ‘The Sapphires’, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012. ‘The Sapphires’ is Tony’s family’s story, and in this episode, he shares his experience of telling his story on screen and stage. Tony speaks passionately about the importance of Indigenous stories being told by the owners of those stories, not only as a matter of authentic story-telling, but also as a matter of human rights. As Tony says, regardless of the questions that are raised around the law, ‘Aboriginal people own Aboriginal stories’.Marissa and Ingrid are also joined by Robyn Ayres, Chief Executive Officer of the Arts Law Centre of Australia. Arts Law founded Artists in the Black under Robyn’s leadership, a service of Arts Law that is dedicated to providing legal assistance and advice to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities. Robyn gives an interesting and engaging overview of Intellectual Property laws – ‘property of the mind’ – and the ways which mainstream intellectual property laws can be a poor form of protection for Indigenous stories and other art forms. Robyn talks about the concept of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, communal ownership, and the ways Indigenous people may seek to characterise ownership of art and stories outside of mainstream IP laws.
In this episode Sam Elkin interviews Gregor Husper from the Police Accountability Project about the disturbing incident of brutality during an arrest in Victoria this week.
Consumer leadership and engagement will be crucial to successfully build a better and fairer mental health system in Victoria. Victoria Legal Aid recently completed a project, 'Your Story, Your Say', which allowed 34 people with lived experience to share their experience with the Mental Health Royal Commission. We spoke with the project's coordinator, Simon Katterl, about the important expert evidence the project was able to deliver. You can read more about the final report and recommendations here: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/about-us/news/your-story-your-say-experiences-of-mental-health-system
This evening we discussed where to find reliable legal information responding to COVID-19. This is especially important at the moment, when face to face community legal education delivery is not available or only available in a limited way, things are changing so fast and people are often unsure where to look and are relying on untrustworthy sources. We will also look at some resources specifically for young people.We were lucky to be joined by:Amala Ramarathinam, Senior Lawyer with YouthlawMark Tregonning, Community Legal Education Coordinator with Victoria Legal AidKirsten Young, Community Engagement Officer with Peninsula Community Legal CentreSummary of resources discussed:Legal information relating to COVID-19 across a number of areas of law Youthlaw's website for young people: http://youthlaw.asn.au/home/legal-issues-during-covid-19/Victoria Legal Aid's website: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/covid-19-coronavirusJustice Connect's page dedicated to COVID-19 related legal information in the areas of tenancy, employment, financial troubles, accessing the courts and understanding the emergency powers: https://justiceconnect.org.au/help/covid19/Tenancy or housing problems during COVID-19Tenants Victoria’s website features up to date information about the impact of COVID-19 on tenants’ rights and responsibilities: https://www.tenantsvic.org.au/advice/coronavirus-covid-19/Employment problems during COVID-19JobWatch has some very helpful Q&A resources on their website answering questions about a number of common employment issues that have arisen as a result of COVID-19: http://jobwatch.org.au/. JobWatch also runs a free and confidential Telephone Information Service for workers in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and until 8:30 pm every Wednesday evening. You can call 1800 331 617, Melbourne Time Applies.For international students struggling due to COVID-19Inner Melbourne Community Legal has developed a website containing legal information tailored to your needs in a number of languages: https://ishelp.org.au.For trouble paying bills or mounting debts due to COVID-19Consumer Action has a number of self-help resources on their website: www.consumeraction.org.au. or you can call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm.If you have been fined during the pandemicPeninsula Community Legal Centre's Fines Work & Development Permit (WDP) app: https://melbournelaw.neotalogic.com/a/WDPFitzroy Legal Service operates a COVID-19 policing legal advice line: 0434 136 501 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. COVID-19 fines information will also shortly be available on Fitzroy Legal Service’s website: www.fitzroy-legal.org.au. Moonee Valley Legal Service’s Fine Fixer tool: www.finefixer.org.au. If you have been stopped by police during the COVID-19 pandemic and want to know your rights or feel that police have done the wrong thing, you can access resources and make a report: https://covidpolicing.org.au/* All of these resources are for Victoria only unless specified otherwise. Current as at 25 August 2020.
In this episode we interview Sam Drummond about the new human rights organisation Lawyers for Peace.
Victoria is now in a declared "State of Disaster" with category 4 lockdown and some States have closed their borders to Victorians, as well as to their own residents who have been living elsewhere. In this episode we speak to Constitutional Law expert, Professor Kim Rubenstein from the University of Canberra about how the Australian Constitution is being used by Clive Palmer to challenge the WA border closures, and discuss what the High Court will consider when determining whether the closures are lawful.This is a critical legal issue which will have far reaching implications for many Australians currently living interstate. We interview, Amber, a Western Australian with family in Perth, who recently moved to Melbourne for study and now finds themself unable to return to WA despite facing homelessness in Melbourne.**Update (05/08/2020) - Our guest Amber was granted an exemption by the WA State Government to enter Western Australia after our interview regarding their circumstnaces.Show Notes:During the episode Professor Kim Rubenstein made reference to the following oral history record about Marlene Ann Hall:Australian Woman Lawyers as Active Citizens - Professor Kim Rubenstein interview with Marlene Ann HallPrevious High Court Judgements referred to in discussion:Cole v Whitfield [1988] HCA 18 Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia [1990] HCA 1 The Australian ConstitutionThe episode discusses section 92 and section 117.
Class Action Against NSW Police for Strip SearchesLaw firm Slater and Gordon and Redfern Community Legal Centre are leading a class action against NSW Police for strip searches conducted in the State. Our very own host, Gemma Leigh-Dodds is a Senior Associate at Slater and Gordon that is working on the action.Find out more about the class action here: https://www.slatergordon.com.au/class-actions/current-class-actions/nsw-strip-search-class-action For information about the Victoria Public Housing COVID-19 Lockdownshttps://flemkenlegal.org/latest-news/2020/7/5/legal-info-and-help-for-public-housing-residents-in-lock-downFor legal assistance of any kind call 1800 113 432. 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday. For urgent after-hours legal advice call 0434 136 501 (until Friday 10th July)
In a week dominated by stories of the Black Lives Matter protests in the US and closer to home protests against Aboriginal deaths in custody and the overincarceration of our First Nations people, we look at promising Aboriginal-led decision-making processes that are helping protect culture and keep Aboriginal people safer through the justice system in Victoria. We're talking restorative justice, and we're also talking about a beautiful possum cloak that's keeping culture real and present in the children's court. We hear from Jarrod Hughes, a Taungurung man and Senior Advisor from the Research and Advocacy team at the Centre for Innovative Justice about their Open Circle Restorative Justice program. Website: https://cij.org.au/opencircle/ We also speak with Ashley Morris manager of Koori Services and Programs at the Children's Court of Victoria in Broadmeadows and hear about their Marram-Ngala Ganbu Program an innovative response to the over-representation of Aboriginal children and families in the child protection system in Victoria.Website: https://www.childrenscourt.vic.gov.au/evaluation-marram-ngala-ganbu
In this Reconciliation Week episode:Southport Community Legal ServiceThe City of Port Phillip proposes to discontinue the funding of the Southport Community Legal Service to save $65,000 in its 2020/21 budget. The Southport Community Legal Service established in 1988 has and continues to rely on Council funding to provide the Southport community with essential and much needed legal services. In this episode we are joined by Brian Burton, Community Lawyer at Southport CLS, to discuss the important work that the service provides and why funding for community legal services like Southport is essential.To find out more head to the Southport CLS website: https://www.southportcls.com.au/ Reconciliation Weekhttps://www.reconciliation.org.au/ To find out more about the Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia head to this ANU link:https://cass.anu.edu.au/news/new-indigenous-atlas-launches-anu
This evening we are joined by Samantha Floreani, Campaigns Officer at Digital Rights Watch to discuss the Australian government’s COVIDSafe contact tracing app, released on 26 April. One month in and with just one instance of the app being used, there is need to reflect on the privacy concerns and human rights implications raised by the app’s operation. We will also be discussing more rights-focussed decentralised design alternatives. For more information, head to Digital Rights Watch's website: https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/2020/04/24/covid-19-trace-app/
Australian Law Degree embedded with Indigenous Cultural CompetencyIn this episode our discussion is about a unique Australian law degree. Future lawyers studying at Charles Sturt University finish with more that your run-of-the mill law qualification. They are not only able to become legal practitioners but have also been trained in Indigenous Cultural Competency, the only Australian law school to do this. We speak with two of this course’s architects, Prof. Alison Gerard and Annette Gainsford, about what this means for the future of legal education in Australia.Charles Sturt University Centre for Law and Justice information is available here: https://bjbs.csu.edu.au/centres/law-and-justice/homeHigh Court judgement about compensation for disappointed touristsPlus we look briefly at a recent High Court decision involving a cruise company, Scenic Tours. When a dream European river cruise turns into mainly a bus tour because of weather, what kind of compensation is available? We speak with Dr Lauren Meath (Graduate Lawyer at Slater and Gordon) about how this judgement could connect to what’s happening when travel plans are impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.Moore v Scenic Tours Pty Ltd [2020] HCA 17High Court Judgement available here: http://eresources.hcourt.gov.au/showCase/2020/HCA/17
How is Victoria Police enforcing the COVID-19 restrictions so far? We talk about the police response to a recent car convoy protest organised by Refugee Action Collective on Good Friday in Preston, as well as other concerns reported to covidpolicing.org.auMelbourne Activist Legal Support (MALS) volunteers Jen Keene-McCann & Stephanie Blake plus Liberty Victoria spokesperson, barrister Michael Stanton join Done By Law to discuss.Read more:https://melbourneactivistlegalsupport.org/2020/04/04/statement-of-concern-unique-protest-squashed-by-police-due-to-covid-restrictions/https://melbourneactivistlegalsupport.org/2020/04/13/statement-of-concern-good-friday-protest-suppressed-by-police-under-covid-restrictions/https://libertyvictoria.org.au/content/media-release-%E2%80%93-refugee-protest-arrest-and-finesConcerned? Consider signing on to Refugee Action Collective's statement:https://rac-vic.org/2020/04/18/support-grows-for-rac-covid-convoy-protesters/
Ria discusses government policies and the pandemic's potential for social change with Flat Out's Amanda George, Then Bonnie talks about how COVID has affected the operation of the Children's Court with Beth George, Senior Lawyer at Women's Legal Service.Also, check out these resources:https://covidpolicing.org.au/https://covid19prisonwatch.net.au/
Today, Cardinal George Pell heard the outcome of his application for special leave to the High Court against his conviction and sentence for child sex offences. In lieu of the announcement, we have revisited the submissions and arguments made to the High Court by both Pell’s team and the DPP, to try and make sense of the legal issues.A content warning tonight’s episode discusses sexual abuse.For support you may contact:Lifeline 13 11 141800 RESPECTHigh Court Judgment link: http://eresources.hcourt.gov.au/showCase/2020/HCA/12High Court Case Documents: https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases/case_m112-2019
Overcrowded jails risk the lives of prisoners (as well as the broader community) in a pandemic. In this episode of Done By Law, we amplify the call for humane decarceration in the light of the COVID-19 health emergency. We also talk with civil rights organisation Liberty Victoria about other areas of concern at this time, in terms of human rights. With host Marissa and guests Felix Ralph, criminal lawyer (partner at C Marshall & Associates) and barrister Julia Kretzenbacher (speaking on behalf of Liberty Victoria). Sign the petition to Victorian State Premier Daniel Andrews seeking urgent changes to law & order policy during the pandemic: https://www.change.org/p/daniel-andrews-release-vulnerable-victorian-prisoners-stop-remanding-for-minor-offences-due-to-covid-19
Scrolling through your news feed and reading an interesting post is nothing out of the ordinary...But what if you're currently on jury duty?In this episode we'll be discussing the role of juries in our justice system and how Australian law is adapting to people's access to information online and on social media. Our guest is Researcher and Prosecutor Jemma Holt.For more you can check out Jemma Holt's article on The Conversation here: https://theconversation.com/juries-need-to-be-told-how-theyre-allowed-to-use-the-internet-to-ensure-fair-trials-130127?fbclid=IwAR3XXBKDPcSc_WJfNsXHmt7AJZP15-naoQ4YFYE1kTYCCJTWLWKKjaR3xc4
What responsibility does a corporation have to disclose the activities it funds which contribute to climate change? Last week Friends of the Earth joined with recent Australian bushfire victims to launch a test case against ANZ under international law, to hold the bank accountable for financing fossil fuel projects that contribute to the climate crisis. Tonight we speak to Emilia Nazari to talk about the claim and consumer based climate litigation - part of a new wave of public interest litigation being tested in Australia and around the world.
When your house burns down and everything is lost - the last thing on your mind is what the legal implications are. But as the smoke begins to clear, the legal issues suddenly become complex. Did you have insurance in place? How can you access your bank accounts if you’ve got no way to prove your identity? Can you get fired from your job if you’re stuck in an evacuated area? How can you find safety if you had an AVO in place for a residence that no longer exists?In this episode we will speak with two lawyers, Jenni Smith, the CEO of Northern Community Legal Centre, and PhD candidate Su Robertson, who both provided disaster relief legal assistance in the wake of the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. We will also discuss what’s being put in place by the community sector to provide assistance after these latest fires.
As the federal government announces an overhaul to the controversial Robodebt scheme, Victoria Legal Aid's Charley Brumby-Rendell explains what heralded the move.And with increasing reports of clashes between police and protesters, Gregor Husper from the Police Accountability Project lays down some much needed reforms.
In the last year, animal rights have gained traction in public discourse. In particular, the ABC’s recent investigation into the fate of racehorses shocked and focused the nation’s attention on this issue. Tonight, on Melbourne Cup, we take pause to talk with Nichola Donovan from Lawyers for Animals to discuss what rights animals have, the racing industry and what role the law has to prevent animal cruelty.
After protests around the world calling for meaningful action on the climate crisis, Lawyers for Climate Action have called on the Law Council of Australia, as well as state and territory peak bodies, to step up efforts to tackle this emergency.People working in the legal profession are encouraged to take steps towards action, starting by joining the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lawyersforclimatejusticeaus/
Did you know that people are being sent 'cease and desist' notices telling them to stop using the Aboriginal flag? Who holds copyright in this critical icon and should a non-indigenous business be able to limit its use? We chat with Robyn Ayers, CEO of the Arts Law Centre of Australia and Laura Thompson, Managing Director of Spark Health Australia, about their 'Free the Flag' campaign.https://www.change.org/p/australia-change-the-licencing-agreement-around-the-aboriginal-flag-pridenotprofit
Following our chat with Fiona Patten earlier this year about her bill proposing a spent convictions scheme for Victoria, the Victorian Legislative Council’s Legal and Social Issues Committee has commenced a public inquiry into a legislated spent convictions scheme for Victoria. We take another look at spent convictions and why they're such a good idea.https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/about-us/news/we-support-spent-convictions-schemeGuest:Kamna Muddagouni, Senior Lawyer, Equality Law Program, Victoria Legal Aid
What’s happening in our kitchens? This week on Done By Law we look at the hospitality industry and wage theft. In the wake of the Calombaris scandal, we’ll take a deeper look into why these practices are flourishing and what the law says about it. We’ll be joined in the studio by Gabrielle Watson-Munro, from WestJustice, and by Sarah who has worked in Melbourne kitchens for the last decade. Tune in, 6:00pm this Tuesday.not her real name. https://www.westjustice.org.au/community-development-and-law-reform/community-development-and-law-reform-projects/newly-arrived-and-refugee-employment-law
Tonight we discuss the challenges, progress and achievements of Richmond's Medically Supervised Injection Room, as it moves to its new location at North Richmond Community Health.https://nrch.com.au/services/medically-supervised-injecting-room/Guests:Dr Nico Clarke, Medical Director, Medically Supervised Injection RoomAdam Willson, Senior Drug Outreach Lawyer, Fitzroy Legal Service
Did you know that there are proposed changes to the rules that govern local councils? Critics say that the changes would make it harder for parties other than Labor and the Coalition to be elected.Tonight on Done By Law we will be speaking with Samantha Ratnam - Leader of the Victorian Greens about why the Greens oppose the changes.if you want to have your say, see the website below. Feedback is required to be in by 31 July 2019.https://www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance/local-government-act-review
This week we conduct a special in depth interview with ClientEarth in the UK - a climate change litigation firm bringing a claim on behalf of a group of Torres Strait Islanders against the Australian government.It’s the first climate litigation brought against the government based on human rights, alleging the government’s inaction on climate change is a breach of the Islanders’ cultural rights.Guest:Sophie Marjanac, Project Lead, Climate Accountability, ClientEarthhttps://www.clientearth.org/press/climate-threatened-torres-strait-islanders-bring-human-rights-claim-against-australia/http://ourislandsourhome.com.au/
Tonight we talk about how West Papuans are using both international and domestic law to fight for independence from Indonesia’s colonial rule. We're joined by Erwin Bleskadit from 3CR’s own Voice of West Papua and Dr Richard Chauvel, Honorary Fellow at the Asia Institute at The University of Melbourne.https://www.change.org/p/gillian-bird-add-west-papua-to-the-un-decolonization-list-at-the-2019-general-assembly
Tonight on Done By Law it's our Midsumma special! We chat with Lee Carnie, Director of Legal Advocacy at the newly established LGBTIQ+ legal advocacy and human rights organisation Equality Australia. www.equalityaustralia.org.auWe’re also excited to be chatting with Victoria’s inaugural LGBTIQ+ outreach lawyer Sam Elkin, who works for the LGBTIQ Legal Service, a health justice partnership between St Kilda Legal Service and Thorne Harbour Health (formerly the Victorian Aids Council). www.skls.org.au/legal-help/lgbtiq-outreach-service We discuss how their services support LGBTIQ+ communities, the recent launch of Equality Australia, andask Sam for some some advance tips from their upcoming LGBTIQ inclusive legal practice training session for community lawyers this Thursday.
Kate Goodwin and Emma Strybosch from Paper Giant talk technology, access to justice and human centred-design.
William Bowe, psephologist and editor of The Poll Bludger blog, joined us to talk about why micro-parties were elected to the Victorian Legislative Council with only a hand-full of votes. Chris Bowse, principal solicitor at the Whittlesea Legal Service, also joined us to discuss 'Expresso Legal', an innovative new project providing free outreach legal advice with free coffee.
How far do super fund trustees need to consider climate change when investing our money? Tonight on Done By Law we chatted with Mark McVeigh, member of Rest super fund, and David Barnden, Principal Lawyer at Environmental Justice Australia, who are putting this to the test in the first court action of its kind!https://www.envirojustice.org.au/projects/a-23-year-old-is-taking-a-50bn-super-fund-to-court-over-climate-change/
Tonight on Done by Law we discuss Cemino v Cannan & Ors - a Supreme Court judgment that assures better access to the Koori Court and sets the stage for Aboriginal cultural rights more broadly. We're joined by Patrick Warner, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, and Tal Shmerling, Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission.https://vals.org.au/assets/2018/09/Cemino-MEDIA-RELEASE-FINAL.pdf
Sam Elkin runs Victoria's first dedicated LGBTIQ legal service, which is a partnership between St Kilda Legal Service and Thorne Harbour Health (formerly the Victorian Aids Council). We talk to Sam about the challenges and successes of the service.
Tonight on Done By Law we spoke with Meena Singh from the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service about new laws expunging criminal records given to members of the Stolen Generations, the impact of anti-association laws on Aboriginal children, and VALS key asks for the 2018 state election.www.vals.org.au
Tonight we hear an update from Matt on concerning developments this past week in Victoria’s criminal justice system, in particular the controversial Justice Legislation Amendment (Unlawful Association and Criminal Appeals) Bill 2018 which removes the right to de novo appeals of criminal cases to the County Court.We then chat with Mental Health Legal Centre Chair Stan Winford about privacy concerns surrounding the Federal Government’s My Health Record, and the impact these will have on the Centre’s clients living with mental illness.More information:https://www.lawlibrary.vic.gov.au/legal-research/legislation/victorian-bills/justice-legislation-amendment-unlawful-association-andhttps://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/opt-out-my-health-record
Tonight on Done By Law we talk about an ongoing campaign in support of young NZers who are homeless in Australia. We then chat about how this campaign connects to the broader issue of couch surfing and homelessness, and in particular with some of the findings of WEstjustice's report "Couch Surfing Limbo". More information:http://www.westjustice.org.au/cms_uploads/docs/westjustice-couch-surfing-limbo-report.pdfhttp://www.iwinaus.org
Following outraged headlines in Australian newspapers about a recent decision made by Australian Human Rights Commission, we discussed irrelevant criminal record discrimination and the impacts this can have on people with human rights lawyer Gemma Leigh-Dodds, co-producer of documentary ‘Off the Record’.
Balit Ngulu is a legal centre tailor-made for Victoria's Aboriginal children and young people that began in July 2017. Despite its success, it is facing possible closure due to a lack of funding. We're joined by Leah Tolley, managing director of Balit Ngulu.The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which provides funding for supports for people with disabilities, has been plagued with issues since its rollout in July 2016. The Ombudsman has recently released a report into some of the complaints, which we explore with Dr Meg Clement-Couzner, who is the senior policy officer at People with Disability Australia. Disability support worker "Amy" then tells us about some of the real life impact these issues are having on NDIS participants.
Victorian law makes it incredibly difficult for trans, gender diverse and intersex Victorians to change their birth certificate. This creates obvious and unnecessary distress, and can create barriers to participation. In anticipation of IDAHOBIT, we spoke with highly respected LGBTQI advocate Sally Goldner of TransGender Victoria, and queer advocate and activist Theodore Murray to discuss this issue.
In the first half of the show Matthew speaks to Sophie Lestrange from Melbourne Activist Legal Support about the introduction of new weapons in Victorias Police, and the potential for harm in the community. In the second half of the show Matthew and Ed speak with Cassandra Cohen from Bounding Plains to Share. Cassandra ran 4000kms to support asylum seekers and refugees.
We talk to Phoebe Churches, Manager Advocacy and Legal, University of Melbourne Student Union about disciplinary and misconduct proceedings at universities, and how they sit with principles of natural justice and procedural fairness. We also talk about the UMSU Legal Service, a community legal centre providing advice and assistance to University of Melbourne students.
We talk with Ruth Barson, the Director of Legal Advocacy at Human Rights Law Centre about two concerning recent reports addressing neglect, abuse and prolonged periods of detention for people with disability in Australian prisons.
In 2017, the Andrew's Government announced that a number of inner city public housing estates are to be demolished and sold off to private developers for redevelopment.Tonight, we talk to Stephanie Price from West Heidelberg Community Legal Service and Molly Williams from Inner Melbourne Community Legal to find out about whether the renewal project stacks up against the Government's rhetoric.In the midst of a housing unaffordability crisis with tens of thousands of people on the public housing wait list, should we be selling off public land? Tune in to hear the discussion on 3CR Community Radio - 855AM at 6pm.
On this episode of Done By Law we speak with Dr Karen Gelb, Consultant Criminologist, about public attitudes to sentencing. Dr Gelb takes us through some of her research that shows public attitudes towards sentencing are often more lenient then the portrayal by media and government.
On this episode of Done By law we chat with LidiaThorpe, Member for Northcote, who made history on 29 November 2017 as the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to the Victorian Parliament, about approaching Invasion/Survival Day this Friday 26 January with respect for our first peoples.
This summer saw a frenzy of reports into so called ‘African gangs’. Some media outlets and politicians claimed Victoria is facing a ‘crisis’ in youth crime, so much so that it is no longer safe to eat out at restaurants. Fingers were also being pointed at the courts for being too ‘soft’. However, the State government and police rejected claims of a crisis, labelling them 'utter garbage' and unproductive. Members of the African community also warned against the harm this rhetoric causes, including discrimination and vilification.We speak to Sajda Yakub, a Peer Advocate from the Police Accountability Project, to unpack this issue and provide us with some perspective.
Bee chats with Hui Zhou, Principal Lawyer of Darebin Community Legal Centre about Women's Transforming Justice Project - a project of DCLC, Flat Out and LACW (Law and Advocacy Centre for Women)