Done By Law

This evening we discussed where to find reliable legal information responding to COVID-19. This is especially important at the moment, when face to face community legal education delivery is not available or only available in a limited way, things are changing so fast and people are often unsure where to look and are relying on untrustworthy sources. We will also look at some resources specificall...

In this episode we interview Sam Drummond about the new human rights organisation Lawyers for Peace. 

Victoria is now in a declared "State of Disaster" with category 4 lockdown and some States have closed their borders to Victorians, as well as to their own residents who have been living elsewhere. In this episode we speak to Constitutional Law expert, Professor Kim Rubenstein from the University of Canberra about how the Australian Constitution is being used by Clive Palmer to challenge the WA bo...

Class Action Against NSW Police for Strip SearchesLaw firm Slater and Gordon and Redfern Community Legal Centre are leading a class action against NSW Police for strip searches conducted in the State. Our very own host, Gemma Leigh-Dodds is a Senior Associate at Slater and Gordon that is working on the action. Find out more about the class action here: https://www.slatergordon.com.au/class-actions...

In a week dominated by stories of the Black Lives Matter protests in the US and closer to home protests against Aboriginal deaths in custody and the overincarceration of our First Nations people, we look at promising Aboriginal-led decision-making processes that are helping protect culture and keep Aboriginal people safer through the justice system in Victoria.  We're talking restorative justice,...

In this Reconciliation Week episode:Southport Community Legal ServiceThe City of Port Phillip proposes to discontinue the funding of the Southport Community Legal Service to save $65,000 in its 2020/21 budget. The Southport Community Legal Service established in 1988 has and continues to rely on Council funding to provide the Southport community with essential and much needed legal services. In th...

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-focus...

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...

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 Stan...

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...

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...

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 H...

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 ab...

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 safet...

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 anima...

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/lawyers...

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....

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/...

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...

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...

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....

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-ge...