Done By Law

40 Years Tent Embassy and Your Rights at Festivals

Julia — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:37:52 +0000

On 26 January 1974 the Aboriginal Tent Embassy was established under an umbrella on the grounds in front of Parliament House. This Survival Day marked the 40th anniversary of the Embassy. A gathering in Canberra celebrated the activists who have fought for the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and its historical and ongoing fight for justice. We talk to Meghan Fitzgerald who attended the Tent Embassy 40th anniversary commemorations about the gathering, the media misrepresentations of the protests and the ongoing struggle for survival and justice.

Summer is music festival and rave season. We discuss issues surrounding the policing of festivals and raves, especially the use of sniffer dogs, drug test and searches by security guards and police and how these tactics risk undermining harm reduction approaches to drug use. Listen in to find out more about your rights at festivals!

DBL: Consumer Rights over the Festive Season

Jordana — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:14:41 +0000

The lead up to Christmas is often a financially stressful time for families. With rent and energy prices steadily rising it’s not set to get any easier to make ends meet. People may be tempted to borrow money to get through Christmas and may end up with debt which they struggle to repay. They may also get caught up in a scam or end up with goods which weren’t what they were expecting and want their money back.

Today we’re speaking with Daniel Simpson, Media and Communications Officer at the Consumer Action Law Centre. One of his main roles is to ensure consumers are aware of the rights, and also that retailers and service providers are aware of their responsibilities. Daniel and Consumer Action also advocate for regulatory and legislative change in an effort to advance consumer rights. Before starting at Consumer Action Daniel worked for The Hon. Tony Robinson MP, former Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs. It is clear that consumer rights are obviously a longstanding passion of Daniel’s and it’s a pleasure to have him on the show tonight.

8 November 2011 - Victims’ Rights

Jordana — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:28:04 +0000

Last year in Victoria, just over 39,000 persons reported being the victim of a crime against the person. An estimated further 60,000 Victorians were the victim of a crime but made no report to the police. Being a victim of crime, especially violent crime, can have devastating effects on an individual, their family and the community. On top of physical injuries, victims are at greater risk of mental illness, particularly anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Carer responsibilities and employment also suffer. Then the is the traumatising ordeal of having to navigate the criminal justice system – from making a statement to police and identifying the offender, to being called as a witness and cross-examined by over-zealous defence lawyers.

On tonight’s show, Clare Morton, Director of the Victims Support Agency within Department of Justice, will lead us through a step-by-step guide for victims involved in the justice system – what to expect from the criminal justice process and what supports are available along the way.

A must-hear for anyone who has been, or who wants to support a friend or loved one who has been, a victim of crime.

Tune in to 3CR 855AM from 6pm.

Occupy Melbourne Legal Support

Julia — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:18:15 +0000

The Occupy Melbourne Legal Support Team urge anyone arrested, or who witnessed or experienced police brutality to make contact with us. Together we stand stronger! We have seen some horrendous police brutality over the past few days and highly recommend everyone do some self care. If you were injured (in body or mind) take yourself to a health professional and have your injuries documented. This can also become important evidence. Write down your experiences while they are fresh in your mind and make contact with us to write a detailed statement. Get images and videos to us as well that document the incidents. Occupy Melbourne Legal Support is here to help you. We will do the very best we can to account for and redress some of the harm that has been inflicted by Victoria Police and those who gave the directions. Make contact via 0434126515 or OccupyMelbourneLegal@gmail.com and solidarity to you all.

Occupy Melbourne: 23 October 2011

Julia — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:17:26 +0000

On Friday 21 October 2011 the Victorian Police acting on instruction of Melbourne City Council moved to forcefully evict the Occupy Melbourne movement which had been camped in City Square for the previous week. The Occupy Melbounre Legal Support Team have collected statements that officers attacked and assaulted protesters and arrested over 80 people, the majority without charge. We talk to members of the Occupy Melbourne Legal Support Team about the reports of police violence and brutality as well as legal questions concerning whether it was lawful to evict people from public land, the powers and authorities of Melbourne City Council enforcement officers and legal questions surrounding the confiscation and destruction of camp property by Melbourne City Council.

World Mental Health Week: 11 October 2011

Jordana — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:27:27 +0000

Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, a day aimed at raising public awareness about mental health issues. So tonight on Done By Law, we’re talking about mental illness. People suffering from mental illness can sometimes be treated without their consent, both in hospital and in the community. When this happens, people can be subject to involuntary treatment because they can’t or won’t consent to treatment. Involuntary patients can be subjected to significant restrictions on their personal liberty. So what safeguards are there to protect their rights, and do the safeguards go far enough? Tonight on Done By Law we talk to Catherine Leslie, lawyer and policy officer at the Mental Health Legal Centre and Merinda Epstein, a consumer of mental health services and coordinator of Our Consumer Place, a resource for mental health consumers.

Visioning Justice

Julia — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:39:44 +0000

Increasing numbers of young people from diverse backgrounds are coming into contact with the criminal justice system in Melbourne. Visioning Justice is a vibrant collection of short radio documentaries made by young people about a range of experiences with the law. A partnership between Springvale Monash Legal Service and 3CR Community Radio and funded through the Legal Services Board Grants Program, the project aims to get young people’s stories onto the air-waves. The radio docos are available here.

DBL 27 September 2011 - Reverse Presumptions & Decarceration

Julia — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:39:57 +0000

Natasha Wholan is a Drug Outreach Lawyer with Fitzroy Legal Service. On the show she talks about her experience as a newly admitted lawyer involved in the Momcilovic case which raised human rights arguments in criminal matters and was heard in the High Court of Australia.

Terri Silvertree is an advocate with the Decarceration Network which is working to promote decarceration and abolitionist messages through a poster that outlines the real impacts of imprisonment and criminalisation in terms of violence, recividism and community safety. The poster was recently launched by the Centre for the Human Rights of Imprisoned People.

13 September 2011: Social Security Special

Jordana — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:20:25 +0000

With nearly one third of the population accessing some form of Centrelink payment social security law affects many members of our community. Many people may not be aware of what their rights are in relation to Centrelink decisions, or what risks are involved in failing to comply with their obligations. Tonight on Done By Law we speak with Len Jaffit and Michael Freedman from Victoria Legal Aid about how to review Centrelink decisions, and what to expect if you are charged with social security fraud.

Help Keep Done By Law On Air - Donate Now!

Jordana — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:42:32 +0000

We still have over $1000 to go to meet our 2011 Radiothon target. Every dollar donated helps keep Done By Law on air (and every dollar over $2 is tax deductable!). So please click on the link to 3CR on the left-hand side of the page and follow the links to donate and show us how much you love us! Remember to say that you want your donation to go to Done By Law.