Law Report

Everyone has the right to their day in court. But what happens when the legal system is used to intimidate, exhaust or silence people from speaking out on issues of public importance?
A coalition of civil society groups is calling for federal legislation to ban strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP), known to be used by governments, corporations and powerful individuals to suppress criticism and scrutiny.
The Law Report speaks to human rights barrister and Sydney Peace Prize laureate Jennifer Robinson about how lawsuits have been used to target environmental campaigners, journalists, and women who speak out about gender violence and sexual assault.

For the first time a Coroner has ruled that a gambling addiction led to suicide. Despite being seemingly healthy and stable, with no drug or alcohol problems 22 year old student and gambler Kyle Hudson took his own life. 
Victorian Coroner Paul Lawrie said that 'Gambling was the direct and paramount causative factor underlying his decision to take his own life.' and noted that Kyle opened his first sports bet account immediately on turning 18. The Coroner made a number of recommendations including a government created centralised data collection of online gambling account information to be monitored, a gambling regulator and a ban on all gambling ads on mainstream and social media.
And what punters can do if an online bookie refuses to pay. There are disputes about whether or not a successful punter is a professional gambler. So how do bookies decide whether a punter is recreational or professional? Are the rules applied consistently and why are issues raised only when a punter wins?
Guests
Associate Professor Angela Rintoul, Principal Research Fellow, Gambling and Suicide, Department of Health and Society, Melbourne University
Tony Taouk, Principal, Magna Carta Lawyers 
If this conversation raises issues for you or someone close to you there is help available  Gambling Help Online | Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858
Further Information
 Victorian Coroners Court Finding into death following inquest  Kyle Hudson
Law Report 29 September 2026 If you don't pay your gambling debts to an unlicensed bookie, can they take you to court to recover the money?

If you want to organise a protest in Australia, do you need to ask for permission?
Who do you ask? The police? The local council? Do you need get public liability insurance cover or pay for traffic management?
Should authorities treat protests the same way they do commercial events?
The Law Report explores the "maze of requirements" and unexpected hoops that protest organisers have to jump through.

A High Court decision raises important questions about access to healthcare for prisoners after it ruled that a Queensland woman serving a 10-year sentence is entitled to have her eggs frozen.
Queensland Corrective Services had unsuccessfully argued that egg freezing is a form of assisted reproductive technology which, under state law, is not available to prisoners.
The Law Report explores whether prisoners receive the same range and quality of health services as the general population. And if not, what are the policy reasons and practical obstacles?

What impact does 'fake news' have on public discourse, democracy and the justice system? And how can governments and journalists meet the challenge?
A former judge, a journalist turned researcher and a political strategist shine a light on democracy in the age of misinformation and disinformation.
Listen to a panel discussion moderated by the Law Report's Damien Carrick in Melbourne this month, organised by Liberty Victoria and ABC Friends.