This paper reviews law and order legislation that was passed in the States and Territories in the period from 1 January 2003 to 31 July 2006.

The retention of DNA and other forensic evidence following the completion of the trial process raises many issues for the criminal law. On one side, is ‘fresh’ DNA or other evidence to be used by the prosecution to mount an appeal against what is perceived to be a wrongful acquittal, thereby transgressing the rule against...

The NSW government has announced that it will amend the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act to enable the Department of Community Services to apply to the Children’s Court to enter into parental responsibility contracts with parents of children who are at risk of neglect. Lenny Roth outlines the planned amendments and surveys...

Lenny Roth provides an overview of the main provisions of the federal government’s Work Choices legislation and the current High Court challenge mounted by state governments. He looks at the coverage of new system and at changes to award wages, award conditions, legislative conditions, workplace agreements, constraints on industrial action, dispute resolution procedures and unfair...

The Australian Constitution left the states with the primary responsibility for regulating industrial relations but gave the federal parliament a limited power to make laws with respect to 'conciliation and arbitration for the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes extending beyond the limits of any one state'. Lenny Roth surveys the development of this dual...