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Legal Herald - THE LAW AND YOU

BLIND JUSTICE, NO WAY!!!!

July 19th 2007 00:25
The quashing of the criminal conviction against famous Australian celebrity Matthew Newton and son of legendary entertainer Bert Newton is a stark reminder that justice is not blind and that indeed the rich and famous receive lighter sentences or convictions. When walking inside a court room we want to believe that there will be no prejudices held against us such as race, gender, socio-economic status, but it can be argued that indeed justice does “peek”. Unfortunately it sometimes depends on who you are more than on what you do! The actual symbolism of justice is represented by a blind-folded woman holding a set of scales and is still used today. The ancient Greeks referred to the goddess as “Themis” while the Romans called her “Justitia” and she was usually portrayed as evenly balancing both scales and a sword and wearing a blindfold. Hence the blindfold symbolises that differences will not be looked at in a court room, and that we will all be dealt with equally. However, in numerous criminal matters last week in Country NSW similar domestic violence matters received criminal convictions. Many of the convicted do not have the funds to appeal matters to a higher court so it is difficult to have convictions quashed. According to newspaper reports the reason that Matthew Newton was able to “get off” without a record is due to his celebrity status and his counsel argued in court that this would have a devastating affect on his ability to make a living.
courtesy; www.morguefile.com



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photo by Xandert courtesy; www.morguefile.com
The arrest this week of Gold Coast Doctors Mohammed Haneef 27, and Dr Mohamed Asif Ali 26 in relation to the failed bombing attacks in London and Glasgow Airport has once again raised issues over the Anti-terrorism laws in Australia and whether or not they are too harsh. At this moment Dr Mohammed Haneef is still in custody while Dr Ali was released by the Australian Federal Police and simply told to go about his business “as usual”. But can you simply go back to the community after you have been accused of terrorism? For example it is unclear if Dr Ali can return to work. Similarly last year an Art teacher was arrested for having explosives piled up in his house which led to police sweeping in and arresting the teacher for fear that he was “planning an attack”. Many claim that the Anti terrorism laws implemented in an effort to safe guard Australia against terrorism is simply too “heavy handed” and that we should not forget the writ of Habeus Corpus. The writ of Habeas Corpus is a petition filed with a court by an imprisoned person who objects to his own imprisonment. In Brown v. Vasquez the court observed that the Supreme Court recognised the fact that the writ of habeas corpus is the fundamental instrument for safeguarding individual freedom against arbitrary and lawless state action. Lets hope that if the Doctors are not involved in the attacks that they may go back to their lives........ but it seems very unlikely.
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I AM GUILTY SAYS BUILDER

July 6th 2007 03:56
courtesy: www.freefoto.com
A licensed builder who destroyed part of a Heritage Listed house in Sydney's plush suburb of Wahroonga was ordered to pay fourteen thousand dollars by the NSW Land and Environment Court in Sydney. The builder Joe Vinci pleaded guilty to the destruction of the inside wall of the heritage listed house. Ironically it was Vinci's first job since starting his own building business and the prosecutor for Ku-ring-gai Council Mr Howard argued that Vinci should pay the maximum amount imposed for his breach of section 125 [76A] of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Vinci's counsel Mr Clay argued that although his client had committed a grave error when destroying the wall no major "environmental harm" had occurred during the destruction. Clay also asked Justice Pain to take numerous other factors into consideration when deciding the fine to impose such as the fact that Vinci would restore the wall and also that this was his first offence.
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Would You Drink Recycled Waste Water?

January 29th 2007 05:50
Glass of Water
photo by mconnors www.morguefile.com


Sometimes I wonder whether or not all the Aussie politicians ever get together and watch a pirated copy of a movie like Borat. It would certainly explain their sudden inclination towards drinking recycled waste water


[ Click here to read more ]
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It is currently in pre-production, but reports say that the movie may start shooting as early as next month - It's called Wrong Girl and it's about the controversial Sydney gang rapes that took place in 2000 by brothers Bilal and Mohammed Skaf.

There are those who support the release of such a film because it makes people aware of the issue of rape and furthermore, it makes an example of those who commit the crime


[ Click here to read more ]
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Matthew Newton, the son of Aussie TV Royals Bert and Patti Newton, was recently charged with the assault of his former girlfriend, actress Brooke Satchwell.

The blue-eyed rising star faces a number of charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he faces court this Wednesday


[ Click here to read more ]
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Tracy Spicer To Sue Channel Ten

November 27th 2006 09:02
One of Australia's favourite faces of Channel Ten News is planning to take legal action after being sacked just 6 weeks after returning from maternity leave.

Tracy Spicer, who has served as the face of the 11am News Bulletin and a number of evening bulletins for over 14 years, will be alleging a breach of the Sex Discrimination Act.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Beer
photo by dodg3 from www.morguefile.com


Yes, it's that time of year again when the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and other random parts of Australia are overtaken by thousands of schoolies, toolies and foolies.
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Baby Bonus Changes for Under 18's

November 14th 2006 03:29
photo by stuartjessop, www.morguefile.com


From early 2007, mothers under the age of 18 will no longer be paid the Baby Bonus in a lump sum. Instead, the $4,000 payout will be given to young mums in 13 installments over a period of 6 months.
[ Click here to read more ]
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The Cronulla Riots Board Game

October 17th 2006 13:38
As if the racially-motivated violence wasn’t humiliating and shameful enough, now there’s a board game to remind us all of that heated December day in Cronulla. Oh, you know what I’m talking about - that day when 5000 people gathered on the beach wearing t-shirts that read WE GREW HERE, YOU FLEW HERE.

The online game is called Cronulla Monopoly and just like the original, it’s all about buying and selling property. And getting very, very rich.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Sydney - Hot and Sweaty

October 14th 2006 02:31
Bikini
www.morguefile.com


Laziness. Sweatiness. Masses of glistening, coconut-oiled bodies posing on the beaches of Bondi, Coogee and Balmoral…
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Sex Witch Free From Jail

September 27th 2006 07:11
MATURE CONTENT
   


Trade Practices Act - What is it?

September 21st 2006 13:02
The Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) is an act of the Australian Parliament. It applies throughout Australia but there are equivalent Fair Trading Acts in each state. It is an important piece of legislation because it provides for the protection of all consumers and keeps corporations in line. So what exactly is it all about?

Here’s a summary of the key sections of the law:

[ Click here to read more ]
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New Citizenship Laws - A White Australia?

September 15th 2006 07:27
Prime Minister John Howard has recently announced a plan to toughen citizenship laws in Australia. Before becoming eligible for citizenship, it is proposed that migrants will have to do the following:

1. Live in Australia for at least 4 years.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Moderated by Joy Grunenwald
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