Legal Affairs

Informative commentary on legal issues and advances in Victorian, Federal and international law.

6 March 2019 – Discrimination, Employment, Gig Economy, International Women's Day, Law
Challenging discrimination in the gig economy
As the world’s gig economy continues to grow, equality law needs to catch up with technology to tackle discrimination says a University of Melbourne expert.
12 February 2019 – Burning Man Festival, Public Management, Rainbow Serpent Festival, Transformative Festivals
What we can learn from festivals like Rainbow Serpent
A University of Melbourne expert says transformative festivals like Australia’s Rainbow Serpent are a global phenomena providing insights into human behaviour.
5 February 2019 – Australia, Banking, Banking Royal Commission, Corporate Regulation, Finance
The buck stops here: Holding banks responsible for dishonest conduct
A University of Melbourne expert says Commissioner Ken Hayne’s report into the Australian financial services industry is a roadmap to hold the sector to account
31 January 2019 – Child Welfare, Children, Gender, Indonesia, Women
Reversing Indonesia’s child marriage laws
Indonesia has ruled that child marriage violates children’s rights; a University of Melbourne expert says it's an important step toward gender equality.
19 January 2019 – Coercion, Hospitals, Mental Health, Psychiatry, Restraints
Why are the rates of restrictive practices in Victoria’s mental health services so high?
Victoria has the highest rate of restrictive practices in mental health in Australia; and University of Melbourne experts say the Royal Commission needs to act.
4 January 2019 – Cricket, Protest Movements, Sports Corruption, Sports Law
When sports chatter becomes social commentary
From sandpapered cricket balls to domestic violence, 2018 reminded us sport can be a prism to confront social issues says University of Melbourne expert
20 December 2018 – CRISPR, Ethics, Genes, Genomics, Law
Gene-edited babies: What does the law allow in Australia?
University of Melbourne legal experts argue that Australian laws about embryonic genome editing need to be updated to reflect rapid changes in the field.
20 December 2018 – Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Consumer Law, Consumer Protection, Data, Privacy
Consumer rights and unwrapping the latest gadget
A University of Melbourne consumer law expert explains your rights when it comes to the new Internet of Things gadgets you might receive this Christmas.
19 December 2018 – Cognitive Disability, Consumer Law, Consumer Protection, Universal Access
Making information accessible - for everyone
Essential consumer services need to be accessible for all, including those with cognitive disabilities. University of Melbourne researchers show how to do it.