Law Report

In northern NSW, Lismore Local Court Magistrate David Heilpern has just retired at the age of 58. In a candid conversation about his working life, its challenges and stresses, he also outlines his misgivings about the NSW drug driving laws which played a big role in his decision to step down.

The NSW Court of Appeal found that the killing of a woman by her de facto husband at home was a workplace death and her family are entitled to workers compensation.

This decision was handed down in March, just at the time when millions began working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. So what are the implications of this case for workers and their employers?

If you or anyone you know is affected by family violence there is help available at 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732

Lifeline on 13 11 14 safe steps on 1800 015 188 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

Social media can be useful connecting people and ideas but moderators are needed to keep disturbing and toxic material off the platforms. Chris Gray, a former Facebook moderator claims viewing such content in order to keep us safe, gave him PTSD. He's the lead plaintiff in an action against Facebook and CPL, the contracting company that employed him.

*And a warning this program discusses disturbing material*

One in ten incidents of family violence are committed by adolescents. Most of the violence is carried out by young males towards their mothers and involves verbal and physical abuse, coercive and controlling behaviours, financial abuse, stalking and property damage.

Are our legal and social responses adequate?

A timely reflection on the legal responses to two separate but intimately-linked tragedies. During war we saw restrictions on food prices, protests and the freedoms of German Australians. During the Spanish flu crisis we saw maritime quarantines, closed internal borders and spats between the states and feds. Sound familiar?

New research finds that 8% of Australians have used the services of debt management or credit repair companies this year.

The Consumer Action Law Centre who commissioned the research are calling for UK-style consumer protections that require these businesses to act in the best interests of clients.