Articles
“Right to Disconnect” outside normal business hours
On 26 August 2024, the Australian Federal Government introduced new laws establishing an employee’s “right to disconnect” from work-related communication outside normal business hours.
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Major changes to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime from 2026
From 2026, major reforms to Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws will come into effect, expanding obligations and enforcement powers.
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Alternative penalty options under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD)
A fine is the most common penalty imposed when sentencing an offender for an offence under the Work Health and Safet Act 2011. There are also several orders available at sentencing, in addition to or other than a fine, that may present as more attractive options to an offender, the prosecution and the court.
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Case review - unrecorded convictions in weapons licensing decisions
In a decision delivered in January 2025 by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), the Tribunal considered the critical issue of whether unrecorded convictions can be taken into account by the decision maker when deciding an application for a weapons license.
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Changes to Queensland’s prostitution legislation from August 2024
Changes to Queensland’s prostitution laws to decriminalise sex work were passed by Parliament on 2 May 2024. Broadly, the changes establish a legal framework decriminalising the sex work industry in Queensland.
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Understanding Workcover fraud offences in Queensland
In Queensland, workers’ compensation laws and regulations contain various provisions which are designed to protect the compensation and rehabilitation scheme against misuse and fraudulent claims. Misuse or fraudulent claims against the workers’ compensation and rehabilitation system carries severe penalties.
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Alcohol ignition interlocks after drink driving convictions
If you are convicted of a relevant drink driving offence, you will have to complete the interlock program and have an alcohol ignition interlock fitted to your nominated vehicle upon getting your licence back.
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Understanding adult cautions by police in Queensland
In Queensland, adult cautions by police serve as a mechanism for handling low-level offences with a focus on rehabilitation. It provides a fair and efficient way of managing minor criminal offences as an alternative to formal court proceedings.
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Industrial manslaughter in Queensland
Industrial manslaughter occurs when an individual (worker or other person) dies at work due to negligence by a business or its senior officer. It is a criminal offence.
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Queensland bail laws for children
In 2024, Queensland introduced significant changes to its bail laws, aiming to tackle youth crime and enhance community safety. These reforms primarily focus on repeat offenders and represent a more stringent stance on granting bail, especially for young offenders deemed a risk to public safety.
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Significant changes to youth justice laws in Queensland
On 13 December 2024, the Queensland Parliament passed the Making Queensland Safer Act 2024, introducing significant amendments to youth justice laws. These changes mark a major shift in the way the justice system approaches young offenders, with some amendments already in effect and others set to come into force in 2025.
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Common interest privilege in Australia
Common interest privilege (CIP) is an extension of legal professional privilege (LPP) and applies to the sharing of privileged information between parties with a mutual interest in the outcome of litigation or legal matters.
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