In its latest consultation paper, the QLD Law Reform Commission is seeking views on potential changes to the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for murder. Consultation paper: Guardian article:

Upcoming lecture at @MelbLawSchool with Prof Lindsay Farmer speaking on the use of conspiracy charges in the context of climate change protestors.

Great to see the ACT Supreme Court publishing an early graduation ceremony for one of the successful participants in their drug and alcohol sentencing list. DPP v Walker [2025] ACTSC 36:

“it was inadequate for the Tribunal to merely mention the Charter and not demonstrate that it had applied to the facts in evidence”. INP v Secretary, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing [2025] VSC 31:

A Tas court inadvertently included a fine-only offence in an aggregate prison sentence for multiple offences. The appeal court fixed the charge-level sentence but kept the total effective sentence the same. Umgeher-Rhodes v Tasmania [2024] TASCCA 14:

“an order for reparation would place each offender under further significant financial strain, which may adversely affect each offenders’ rehabilitation, and…be counterproductive to the protection of the community.”. DPP v Blundell & Anor [2025] ACTSC 16:

RT @chrisrudge: Very honoured to have joined @damien_carrick this week on the @LawReportRN to discuss parasomnia, sexsomnia and the crimina….

“The Honourable Chief Justice Richard Niall (@SCVSupremeCourt) is looking for a legally qualified individual to be one of his [two] Associates.”. Applications close 23 Feb.

“Given that the publication was plainly wrong, it is inexplicable why Radio Hanjii … did not behave in the manner expected of news organisations and print a correction or retraction.”. Setia v Radio Hanjii [2025] VCC 44:

New from me in the @yourLIV Law Institute Journal - a piece designed to provoke thought and conversation about how we assess the applicable penalty unit value in sentencing.

Published on 23 Dec 2024, a new discussion paper from the federal Attorney-General's Department is seeking submissions on the use of legal professional privilege in Commonwealth investigations. Submissions close 28 Feb 2025.

FCA on general deterrence and companies: “Other companies in the financial services industry in Australia will likely be aware of the [$8m] penalty imposed on Firstmac in this case.”. ASIC v v Firstmac Limited [2025] FCA 12:

"One day, a judge . sentencing an offender for a combination of state and federal offences, is likely to hurl his or her wig down onto the bench . It is entirely possible that the judge who reaches that final stage of exasperation will be me.".

"Unless police resources necessary to conduct an investigation of the type envisaged by the amendments are made available, it will not be rare that a Court cannot make the determination required.".

"DV between partners or ex-partners is common . The use of golf clubs and the smashing of windows are such regular occurrences that I have sentenced many others for such behaviour between the hearing and the publishing of these reasons.".

"In this district, police on duty are so scarce . This shortage of police might also help explain the regular delays of weeks or months in serving TPOs that were sought urgently but remain ineffective".

"There is a divergence of opinion in the Magistracy about this issue . making a [family violence order] to protect as an aggrieved, someone already named as a respondent in an existing order". MAS v FEM [2025] QMC 1:

“He said it was his belief that it was lawful to drive after using medicinally prescribed cannabis so long as he was not ‘under the influence’ … that advice was wrong … [and] from an internet chat forum”. Smith v Marshall [2024] TASMC 12:

“There is clearly ambiguity in s 426(4) of the Criminal Code in relation to the meaning of the words 'an offence under s 378', in circumstances where there is … only one offence under s 378 but different penalties”. Narrier v DPP [2024] WASC 480:

Really interesting new @BOCSAR report today, effectively showing that the first 3 hours of the year are the most violent.