Law Report

In the wake of the Bondi mass shooting, the federal government has passed two significant pieces of legislation that it says are aimed at preventing future attacks. 

In the aftermath of Victoria's catastrophic bushfires, we look at how communities attempt to rebuild their lives and homes. We also discuss navigating complex legal issues, including insurance, debts, tenancy rights, and fakes tradies or other scammers who prey on vulnerable people in the wake of natural disasters. 

In Australia, 'what is death' and other legal definitions, such as what constitutes human tissue, have not kept up with advances in medical science. The Australian Law Reform Commission is conducting the first review of human tissue laws in nearly 50 years.

An emoji, a protest placard and a tweet by a soccer fan have all led to criminal charges in Britain. The Law Report explores how language and cultural expression are used in the prosecution of non-white people for race hate offences. 

Can art change lives? The Confined 16 exhibition in Melbourne celebrated the works of First Nations artists who picked up the paint brush while they were in prison.

Does pill testing save lives? The Law Report's Damien Carrick visits a pop-up service at a Melbourne music event where substances are checked, and staff talk to partygoers about reducing risk when using drugs. 

This year saw a massive manhunt for alleged police shooter Dezi Freeman in Victoria's mountainous north east. In the past, the 56-year-old has been linked to the sovereign citizens movement. So, who are sovereign citizens? And what impact are they having on Australia's justice system? 

What impact could Victoria's historic treaty have on policy, legislation and governance for the state's First Peoples?

In the United States, there is increasing attention on young people's interactions with AI chatbots. OpenAI is being sued over allegations that its ChatGPT platform caused users to experience delusions and even encouraged some to take their own lives.

In two weeks' time, Australia's social media ban for children under 16 will come into force. How will it work? Will it protect kids from online harm? And could they find ways around the restrictions?