Articles
White collar & corporate crime sentencing and penalty regime
Australia’s enforcement landscape for white collar and corporate crime continues to evolve, driven by legislative reforms, case law, and increasingly assertive regulatory agencies such as ASIC.
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Dealing in Proceeds of Crime: What you need to know about Division 400 of the Criminal Code (Cth)
Australia has some of the toughest money-laundering laws in the world. Division 400 of the Criminal Code (Cth) sets out a range of offences aimed at stopping organised crime, financial crime, and suspicious money movements. These laws apply to everyday situations as well as serious criminal activity, and the penalties can be very serious. This article breaks down what you need to know about this offence.
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What is insider trading?
Recent reporting on the Rodney Forrest insider trading case, including coverage in the Australian Financial Review, has renewed public attention on insider trading and the way Australian regulators investigate and prosecute suspected misconduct.
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Opening up about suppression orders and non-publication orders
Often sought but rarely given, suppression orders are the only things stopping the public from getting access to your court or tribunal matters. A court or tribunal can shut their doors to prying eyes, but only if it finds it necessary. And convincing them to do so is no easy feat.
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When suitability matters become a barrier to admission into the legal profession
Admission to the legal profession in Queensland is not granted as a matter of course, even when an applicant has satisfied all academic and practical training requirements.
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Applying to vary domestic violence orders in Queensland
If a final domestic violence protection order has been made against you, or protecting you, there may be circumstances that arise during the operation of the order which cause you to consider applying to change the order.
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Protected counselling communication privilege in criminal law Queensland
Under Queensland’s criminal law, communications with counsellors about sexual offending are subject to a ‘protected counselling communication privilege’ during the legal process. This privilege governs what can and cannot be accessed from a complainant’s confidential conversations with counsellors.
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The use of good character evidence in sexual offence sentencing
From 1 November 2025, Queensland courts will no longer accept “good character” references in sentencing for sexual offences unless those references are directly relevant to an offender’s rehabilitation prospects or likelihood of reoffending.
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How courts determine if a criminal conviction should be recorded or not
In Queensland, when a court convicts an offender, one important question arises: should a formal ‘criminal conviction’ be recorded against the individual? Very often, the court, has a discretion whether or not to record a conviction.
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The criminal defence of provocation in Queensland
Provocation is a legal concept that recognises that sometimes people react in the heat of the moment to serious insults or wrongful acts like assaults and other offences of violence. In Queensland, provocation can be a complete defence to assault and a partial defence to murder.
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Police Protection Directions changes to DV laws Queensland from January 2026
The landscape regarding domestic violence law in Queensland changes again. As of 1 January 2026, new laws empower police to issue ‘on-the-spot’ domestic violence protection orders, called Police Protection Directions.
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Obligations, duties and offences under the environmental protection regime in Queensland
Queensland’s environmental protection framework is aimed at safeguarding the environment, balancing sustainable development with ecological preservation. A critical component of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 is the ability for offenders to be charged with offences to deter harmful activities, ensure accountability, and promote compliance.
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