Done By Law

This evening we are joined by Samantha Floreani, Campaigns Officer at Digital Rights Watch to discuss the Australian government’s COVIDSafe contact tracing app, released on 26 April. One month in and with just one instance of the app being used, there is need to reflect on the privacy concerns and human rights implications raised by the app’s operation. We will also be discussing more rights-focussed decentralised design alternatives. For more information, head to Digital Rights Watch's website: https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/2020/04/24/covid-19-trace-app/

Australian Law Degree embedded with Indigenous Cultural CompetencyIn this episode our discussion is about a unique Australian law degree. Future lawyers studying at Charles Sturt University finish with more that your run-of-the mill law qualification. They are not only able to become legal practitioners but have also been trained in Indigenous Cultural Competency, the only Australian law school to do this. We speak with two of this course’s architects, Prof. Alison Gerard and Annette Gainsford, about what this means for the future of legal education in Australia.Charles Sturt University Centre for Law and Justice information is available here: https://bjbs.csu.edu.au/centres/law-and-justice/homeHigh Court judgement about compensation for disappointed touristsPlus we look briefly at a recent High Court decision involving a cruise company, Scenic Tours. When a dream European river cruise turns into mainly a bus tour because of weather, what kind of compensation is available? We speak with Dr Lauren Meath (

How is Victoria Police enforcing the COVID-19 restrictions so far? We talk about the police response to a recent car convoy protest organised by Refugee Action Collective on Good Friday in Preston, as well as other concerns reported to covidpolicing.org.auMelbourne Activist Legal Support (MALS) volunteers Jen Keene-McCann & Stephanie Blake plus Liberty Victoria spokesperson, barrister Michael Stanton join Done By Law to discuss.Read more:https://melbourneactivistlegalsupport.org/2020/04/04/statement-of-concern-unique-protest-squashed-by-police-due-to-covid-restrictions/https://melbourneactivistlegalsupport.org/2020/04/13/statement-of-concern-good-friday-protest-suppressed-by-police-under-covid-restrictions/https://libertyvictoria.org.au/content/media-release-%E2%80%93-refugee-protest-arrest-and-finesConcerned? Consider signing on to Refugee Action Collective's statement:https://rac-vic.org/2020/04/18/support-grows-for-rac-covid-convoy-protesters/

Ria discusses government policies and the pandemic's potential for social change with Flat Out's Amanda George, Then Bonnie talks about how COVID has affected the operation of the Children's Court with Beth George, Senior Lawyer at Women's Legal Service.Also, check out these resources:https://covidpolicing.org.au/https://covid19prisonwatch.net.au/

Today, Cardinal George Pell heard the outcome of his application for special leave to the High Court against his conviction and sentence for child sex offences. In lieu of the announcement, we have revisited the submissions and arguments made to the High Court by both Pell’s team and the DPP, to try and make sense of the legal issues.A content warning tonight’s episode discusses sexual abuse.For support you may contact:Lifeline 13 11 141800 RESPECTHigh Court Judgment link: http://eresources.hcourt.gov.au/showCase/2020/HCA/12High Court Case Documents: https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases/case_m112-2019

Overcrowded jails risk the lives of prisoners (as well as the broader community) in a pandemic. In this episode of Done By Law, we amplify the call for humane decarceration in the light of the COVID-19 health emergency. We also talk with civil rights organisation Liberty Victoria about other areas of concern at this time, in terms of human rights. With host Marissa and guests Felix Ralph, criminal lawyer (partner at C Marshall & Associates) and barrister Julia Kretzenbacher (speaking on behalf of Liberty Victoria). Sign the petition to Victorian State Premier Daniel Andrews seeking urgent changes to law & order policy during the pandemic: https://www.change.org/p/daniel-andrews-release-vulnerable-victorian-prisoners-stop-remanding-for-minor-offences-due-to-covid-19

Scrolling through your news feed and reading an interesting post is nothing out of the ordinary...But what if you're currently on jury duty?In this episode we'll be discussing the role of juries in our justice system and how Australian law is adapting to people's access to information online and on social media. Our guest is Researcher and Prosecutor Jemma Holt.For more you can check out Jemma Holt's article on The Conversation here: https://theconversation.com/juries-need-to-be-told-how-theyre-allowed-to-use-the-internet-to-ensure-fair-trials-130127?fbclid=IwAR3XXBKDPcSc_WJfNsXHmt7AJZP15-naoQ4YFYE1kTYCCJTWLWKKjaR3xc4

What responsibility does a corporation have to disclose the activities it funds which contribute to climate change? Last week Friends of the Earth joined with recent Australian bushfire victims to launch a test case against ANZ under international law, to hold the bank accountable for financing fossil fuel projects that contribute to the climate crisis. Tonight we speak to Emilia Nazari to talk about the claim and consumer based climate litigation - part of a new wave of public interest litigation being tested in Australia and around the world.

When your house burns down and everything is lost - the last thing on your mind is what the legal implications are. But as the smoke begins to clear, the legal issues suddenly become complex. Did you have insurance in place? How can you access your bank accounts if you’ve got no way to prove your identity? Can you get fired from your job if you’re stuck in an evacuated area? How can you find safety if you had an AVO in place for a residence that no longer exists?In this episode we will speak with two lawyers, Jenni Smith, the CEO of Northern Community Legal Centre, and PhD candidate Su Robertson, who both provided disaster relief legal assistance in the wake of the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. We will also discuss what’s being put in place by the community sector to provide assistance after these latest fires.

As the federal government announces an overhaul to the controversial Robodebt scheme, Victoria Legal Aid's Charley Brumby-Rendell explains what heralded the move.And with increasing reports of clashes between police and protesters, Gregor Husper from the Police Accountability Project lays down some much needed reforms.

In the last year, animal rights have gained traction in public discourse. In particular, the ABC’s recent investigation into the fate of racehorses shocked and focused the nation’s attention on this issue. Tonight, on Melbourne Cup, we take pause to talk with Nichola Donovan from Lawyers for Animals to discuss what rights animals have, the racing industry and what role the law has to prevent animal cruelty.

After protests around the world calling for meaningful action on the climate crisis, Lawyers for Climate Action have called on the Law Council of Australia, as well as state and territory peak bodies, to step up efforts to tackle this emergency.People working in the legal profession are encouraged to take steps towards action, starting by joining the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lawyersforclimatejusticeaus/

Did you know that people are being sent 'cease and desist' notices telling them to stop using the Aboriginal flag? Who holds copyright in this critical icon and should a non-indigenous business be able to limit its use? We chat with Robyn Ayers, CEO of the Arts Law Centre of Australia and Laura Thompson, Managing Director of Spark Health Australia, about their 'Free the Flag' campaign.https://www.change.org/p/australia-change-the-licencing-agreement-around-the-aboriginal-flag-pridenotprofit

Following our chat with Fiona Patten earlier this year about her bill proposing a spent convictions scheme for Victoria, the Victorian Legislative Council’s Legal and Social Issues Committee has commenced a public inquiry into a legislated spent convictions scheme for Victoria. We take another look at spent convictions and why they're such a good idea.https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/about-us/news/we-support-spent-convictions-schemeGuest:Kamna Muddagouni, Senior Lawyer, Equality Law Program, Victoria Legal Aid

What’s happening in our kitchens? This week on Done By Law we look at the hospitality industry and wage theft. In the wake of the Calombaris scandal, we’ll take a deeper look into why these practices are flourishing and what the law says about it. We’ll be joined in the studio by Gabrielle Watson-Munro, from WestJustice, and by Sarah* who has worked in Melbourne kitchens for the last decade. Tune in, 6:00pm this Tuesday.*not her real name. https://www.westjustice.org.au/community-development-and-law-reform/community-development-and-law-reform-projects/newly-arrived-and-refugee-employment-law

Tonight we discuss the challenges, progress and achievements of Richmond's Medically Supervised Injection Room, as it moves to its new location at North Richmond Community Health.https://nrch.com.au/services/medically-supervised-injecting-room/Guests:Dr Nico Clarke, Medical Director, Medically Supervised Injection RoomAdam Willson, Senior Drug Outreach Lawyer, Fitzroy Legal Service

Did you know that there are proposed changes to the rules that govern local councils? Critics say that the changes would make it harder for parties other than Labor and the Coalition to be elected.Tonight on Done By Law we will be speaking with Samantha Ratnam - Leader of the Victorian Greens about why the Greens oppose the changes.if you want to have your say, see the website below. Feedback is required to be in by 31 July 2019.https://www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance/local-government-act-review

This week we conduct a special in depth interview with ClientEarth in the UK - a climate change litigation firm bringing a claim on behalf of a group of Torres Strait Islanders against the Australian government.It’s the first climate litigation brought against the government based on human rights, alleging the government’s inaction on climate change is a breach of the Islanders’ cultural rights.Guest:Sophie Marjanac, Project Lead, Climate Accountability, ClientEarthhttps://www.clientearth.org/press/climate-threatened-torres-strait-islanders-bring-human-rights-claim-against-australia/http://ourislandsourhome.com.au/

Tonight we talk about how West Papuans are using both international and domestic law to fight for independence from Indonesia’s colonial rule. We're joined by Erwin Bleskadit from 3CR’s own Voice of West Papua and Dr Richard Chauvel, Honorary Fellow at the Asia Institute at The University of Melbourne.https://www.change.org/p/gillian-bird-add-west-papua-to-the-un-decolonization-list-at-the-2019-general-assembly