Really interesting new BOCSAR report today, effectively showing that the first 3 hours of the year are the most violent. bocsar.nsw.gov.au/documents/publ…

“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: austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdo…

“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: austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdo…

"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." supremecourt.vic.gov.au/sites/default/…

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: austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdo…

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. consultations.ag.gov.au/legal-system/l…

New from me in the Law Institute of Victoria Law Institute Journal - a piece designed to provoke thought and conversation about how we assess the applicable penalty unit value in sentencing. liv.asn.au/web/law_instit…

“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: austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdo…

“The Honourable Chief Justice Richard Niall (Supreme Court of Victoria (Australia)) is looking for a legally qualified individual to be one of his [two] Associates.” Applications close 23 Feb. jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/jobtools/jncus…

Very honoured to have joined damien carrick this week on the Law Report on RN to discuss parasomnia, sexsomnia and the criminal law. abc.net.au/listen/program…

“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: austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdo…

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: austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdo…

“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: austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdo…

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: austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdo…

Upcoming lecture at Melbourne Law School with Prof Lindsay Farmer speaking on the use of conspiracy charges in the context of climate change protestors. eventbrite.com.au/e/2025-peter-b…

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: qlrc.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/… Guardian article: theguardian.com/australia-news…