Sydney news

A coalition of church and community groups say a modern slavery act in Australia must include strong and enforceable penalties on companies that do the wrong thing. The Federal Government has asked a parliamentary committee to examine if Australia should introduce legislation similar to that implemented in the UK in 2015. The Freedom Partnership to End Modern Slavery says the UK system hasn't been very successful in forcing companies to report in a meaningful way on the risks of slavery in their

The West Australian Police Service says an internal investigation has cleared its officers of any wrongdoing over allegations they stomped on the head of an Aboriginal man earlier this year. Police alleged Clifton Wayne Penny was in a stolen car when they arrested and charged him in January. His family claimed police brutality during his arrest left him shaking uncontrollably for months. But WA Police says its investigation has found the allegations were baseless, and the officers involved have

Woolworths' owned liquor giant Dan Murphy's has announced it's withdrawn its legal action against the Northern Territory Government. There's been months of court proceedings between the retailer and the NT Government, after its plans to build a 1,500 square metre store in Darwin were blocked. In December last year, the Government added a controversial regulation to the Liquor Act, capping retail space at 400 square metres, over claims floor size was linked to alcohol-related harm.

Universities say they're being shocked into action by a report showing alarming levels of sexual harassment and assault among students. A Human Rights Commission survey of over 30,000 students found one in five experienced harassment in a university setting last year, and 1.6 per cent were sexually assaulted in 2015 and 2016. Universities are promising more support for students and better training for staff. Students say the report is long-overdue and must prompt serious changes.