Author Archives: Melody Halangoda
The use of tear gas in policing and prison has been a contentious topic for years. The issue was central to the 2020 High Court decision of Binsaris v Northern Territory (also known as the Don Dale case). In that case, four young Aboriginal boys who had been detained at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre in the Northern Territory sued the NT government after being exposed to tear gas while in detention. This article summarises what that court decision said about the lawful use of tear gas by prison officers. Facts of Binsaris v Northern Territory In 2014,… Read More
The Northern Territory has seen a dramatic increase in the number of young people in detention following the passage of the Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2021. The Bill, which passed despite opposition in May, has made it harder for young people facing criminal charges to get bail as well as giving police more powers to tackle youth crime. The changes were opposed by independent MPs and even some within the government who argued they sent the wrong message about locking up kids. The NT Children’s Commissioner also opposed the changes, saying that they would disproportionately impact Indigenous… Read More