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About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

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ISSUE NO. 11
June 2025
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Legal Corner

Legal Q&A

By
Brian

Brian writes from Wolston CC in Queensland.

Ethan Cassidy

My name is Brian. A lot of guys here are talking about new legislation coming in the near future, but I haven’t found it anywhere. It is called “Daniel’s Law”. I was wondering if you could explain it and when it will take effect and who it will apply to?

Thank you and take care,

Brian.  

My name is Brian. A lot of guys here are talking about new legislation coming in the near future, but I haven’t found it anywhere. It is called “Daniel’s Law”. I was wondering if you could explain it and when it will take effect and who it will apply to?

Thank you and take care,

Brian.  

Legal Q&A

Do you have a general legal query that you want answered?
Is  there an area of law that you think people inside should know more about? Submit your question in the provided form, and we might publish an answer in the paper.

Submit Your Question

Understanding Australia’s Legal System: How Legislation and Common Law Work Together

Understanding Australia’s Legal System: How Legislation and Common Law Work Together

Understanding Australia’s Legal System: How Legislation and Common Law Work Together

By Daniel Vansetten
By Daniel Vansetten

Australia has two sources of law: legislation and common law. Legislation is made by parliaments and is available in documents called acts. Common law is made by judges in court decisions and covers areas that have not been legislated.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 11

4 MIN READ

Freedom of Information (Part One of Two)

Freedom of Information (Part One of Two)

Freedom of Information (Part One of Two)

By Daniel Vansetten
By Daniel Vansetten

This is the first of a two-part series on Freedom of Information (FOI), (also called Right to Information). In this part, we explain why FOI is important and how to lodge an application for information.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 4

9 MIN READ

Be Prepared: New Restrictions on Mobile Phones in Immigration Detention

Be Prepared: New Restrictions on Mobile Phones in Immigration Detention

Be Prepared: New Restrictions on Mobile Phones in Immigration Detention

By Josephine Langbien
By Josephine Langbien

New laws mean that immigration detention officers can now confiscate things like mobile phones, iPads and laptops, which were previously allowed in detention centres. If you’re facing time in immigration detention at the end of your sentence, this article gives some practical tips to prepare for the new rules before you go.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 19

3 MIN READ

Parole Conditions in Queensland

Parole Conditions in Queensland

Parole Conditions in Queensland

By Prisoners' Legal Service
By Prisoners' Legal Service

All parole orders must have conditions setting out what you are required to do and what you must not do while on parole.  

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 10

3 MIN READ

What Happens to Your Debts While You’re Inside?

By Prisoner Legal Service Queensland

Generally, debts can be put into two categories. First, there are private debts (e.g. from a bank, a landlord, a car dealer, or ‘Afterpay’). Second, there are debts owed to the State (e.g. unpaid fines).

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 20

2 MIN READ

Confusing Decision Made About You? Maybe FOI Can Help

By Dan Vansetten

The concern for those who are subjected to government decisions is that they often do not get to see the integrity of the information which was considered by the decision-maker and don’t get to check if it’s correct.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 20

3 MIN READ

Practical Self-Advocacy Tips: Part 1 – Using Prison Policies

By Daniel Vansetten

One of the most important aspects of self-advocacy in prison is to understand the rights of prisoners and the limitations of power of prison authorities.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 19

2 MIN READ

Be Prepared: New Restrictions on Mobile Phones in Immigration Detention

By Josephine Langbien

New laws mean that immigration detention officers can now confiscate things like mobile phones, iPads and laptops, which were previously allowed in detention centres. If you’re facing time in immigration detention at the end of your sentence, this article gives some practical tips to prepare for the new rules before you go.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 19

3 MIN READ