The October issue of the Alternative Law Journal provides a timely review of several major developments in criminal justice in Australia.
Criminal justice remains a central feature of Australian political debate.
Darren Palmer's article on Zero Tolerance Policing traces this new development in policing in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Palmer refers to the strong rhetoric of New Labour in the United Kingdom and highlights problems which may follow if Zero Tolerance policing is adopted. David Brown provides a valuable outline of the findings of the Wood Royal Commission , highlighting some of the flaws in the Royal Commission process and suggesting areas which will require ongoing attention if police corruption in New South Wales is to be prevented. Brown's second article on the Chidiac Case as a potential miscarriage of justice questions the narrow focus of legal appeal processes. Sally Kift outlines the haphazard nature of reform of Queensland's Criminal Code .