Latest News
Court of Appeal Recommends Law Reform
The Queensland Court of Appeal has recommended that the Queensland Government swiftly implement legislative and administrative reform that ensures appropriate diversion for people with disabilities charged summarily. "We welcome the judgement of the Court in the matter of Avery of which we've long been involved. It completely supports recommendations that we have lobbied for," said Director Dan Toombs. "We now hope that this judgement will act as a catalyst to break the back of a system that predisposes people… read more
Queensland's First Disability & Criminal Law Text
QCJC Director Dan Toombs is presently working on Queensland's first text relating to the legal complexities involved in acting for disabled defendants within the Queensland criminal justice system. "Disability and the Queensland Criminal Justice System," will be published in April 2011. read more
QCJC Dan Toombs to keynote NSW Aging & Disability Services Awards
QCJC Director Dan Toombs will address the forthcoming NSW Aging & Disability Services Awards in Newcastle. "It's a great privilege to be addressing such an important event," Dan said. Dan will also facilitate a workshop for Disability Services staff working within the NSW criminal justice system. read more
QCJC keen to educate Queensland Police Prosecutors
QCJC Director Dan Toombs is hopeful that his forthcoming submission to train Queensland Police Prosecutors with respect to issues of unsoundness of mind and fitness for trial will find a favourable response by the Commissioner of Police Bob Atkinson. "A significant issue is that for summary matters where issues of fitness or unsoundness of mind arise, there is a disinclination of lawyers to run such matters at trial due to the costs of doing so given the petty nature of the charge or charges. Under these circumstances… read more
QCJC Project Coordinator Awarded National Prize
QCJC Project Coordinator Sue Gordon has been awarded the Commonwealth Minister's Lifelong Achievement Award. At a ceremony at Parliament House, chaired by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd MP and his wife Therese Rein, Sue was awarded the prestigious accolade out of a field of 271 applicants. "It's a wonderful honour for Sue and is so telling of the potency of her achievements as a disability advocate on the very hard issues like criminal justice," QCJC Director Dan Toombs said. read more
QCJC at the Australian Institute Judicial Administration Conference
QCJC's Dan Toombs and Andrew Caple will be separately addressing the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA) Conference in Auckland in February 2010. read more
QCJC Research Report Community Courts New York City
Centre for Court Innovation Research Report Prepared by Mr Andrew Caple and Ms Sue Gordon 11 October 2009 Acknowledgments I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In 2009, we were pleased to receive The Advocacy and Support Centre's inaugural Smarter State Scholarship. This funding enabled us to pursue an overseas field trip in two countries - Scotland and the United States of America. Specifically, it enabled us to attend and to deliver our conference paper in Edinburgh and New York City, and to undertake a supplementary field trip… read more
New York Smarter State Scholarship Report
THE ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT CENTRE INCSMARTER STATE SCHOLARSHIP Report prepared by Smarter State Scholars for 2009: Mr Andrew Caple and Ms Sue Gordon 11 October 2009 I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In 2009, we were pleased to receive The Advocacy and Support Centre's inaugural Smarter State Scholarship. This funding enabled us to pursue an overseas field trip in two countries - Scotland and the United States of America. Specifically, it enabled us to attend and to deliver our conference paper in Edinburgh and New York City, and to… read more
TASC Announced as Finalist for National Disability Awards
TASC Member Finalist for 2009 National Disability Awards Category of Ministers Lifelong Achievement Award 2009 After her son acquired a severe brain injury in a football match at the age of 27, Sue Gordon has gone on to drive significant reform in the disability sector. Over the past 10 years Sue has worked with The Advocacy and Support Centre (TASC) in Queensland where she assisted in the instigation of Australia's only dedicated criminal law service for defendants with a disability. In conjunction with legal representatives… read more
TASC's National Disability Award Finalist
TASC Member Finalist for 2009 National Disability Awards Category of Ministers Lifelong Achievement Award 2009 After her son acquired a severe brain injury in a football match at the age of 27, Sue Gordon has gone on to drive significant reform in the disability sector. Over the past 10 years Sue has worked with The Advocacy and Support Centre (TASC) in Queensland where she assisted in the instigation of Australia's only dedicated criminal law service for defendants with a disability. In conjunction with legal representatives… read more
Leading Law Students Take on TASC
TASC's Law Student Volunteer Program has commenced! In early October 2009, two of USQ's leading law students started working with TASC. Chris Gunthorpe and Joshua Anderson have juggled lectures and exams with researching files, interviewing clients, and assisting in the development of a new TASC initiative,nWhat's Your Problem. This project will provide 24-7 access to an extensive range of legal information covering both civil and criminal law. This project will be online within three months. read more
QCJC appoints retired Supreme Court Judge Ken Mackenzie as its Consultant
The Director of the Queensland Criminal Justice Centre, Dan Toombs has announced the appointment of recently retired Queensland Supreme Court Judge, Ken Mackenzie as its its consultant. "It's with great pleasure that I announce that Mr Mackenzie joins the Queensland Criminal Justice Centre. Mr Mackenzie brings significant experience both as a Judge and Barrister to the Centre, " Mr Toombs said. read more
