Teen car chase through mall + Character reference ban for sex offenders
The Briefing29 Syys 2025

Teen car chase through mall + Character reference ban for sex offenders

Calls are mounting to abolish the use of character references in court sentencing, following Queensland’s recent legislation restricting their use in cases involving convicted sex offenders.

Character references have long played a controversial role in high-profile cases, including when former Prime Minister John Howard gave one to Cardinal George Pell, describing him as ‘a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character’. More recently in the case of paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith who has pleaded guilty to over 300 charges, also benefited from character references.

In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith, is joined by victim-survivor Josh Byrnes, the ACT representative from Your Reference Ain’t Relevant campaign, to explain how character evidence works in court and why advocates want them abolished.

Afternoon headlines: Teens arrested in Melbourne CBD after a police pursuit, Opposition leader Sussan Ley calls for independent inquiry into the 'entire triple-zero ecosystem' and Bad Bunny to headline 2026 Super Bowl half-time show

Further listening: How to stop teen machete murders

Follow The Briefing:
TikTok: @thebriefingpod
Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jaksot(2548)

What if I'm autistic? | Supporting the neurodivergent in our lives

What if I'm autistic? | Supporting the neurodivergent in our lives

Tom always thought he was autistic but was never diagnosed, until he sought out a definitive answer. Turns out he was right. How will his life change as a result?  This is the final episode of The Bri...

22 Marras 202410min

BONUS: Are you a psychopath?

BONUS: Are you a psychopath?

Are we all just a bunch of psychopaths? Jon Ronson has made a career talking to people living life on the extreme and unpacking what makes us normal – or not. As we begin the wrap-up for 2024, the glo...

22 Marras 202416min

Methanol killed an Aussie backpacker. Can you tell it's in your drink?

Methanol killed an Aussie backpacker. Can you tell it's in your drink?

Headlines: Fifth person dies of methanol poisoning in Laos, ICC issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, 1500 Woolworths warehouse workers strike indefinitely, and an Aussie tv ...

21 Marras 202422min

What if I'm autistic? | What now?

What if I'm autistic? | What now?

Tom has discovered in his late twenties he’s on the autism spectrum. While Tom had always suspected he was autistic, he’s now had his suspicions confirmed - a story echoed by individuals and families ...

21 Marras 20249min

BONUS: Inside the ARIAs and what it takes to succeed

BONUS: Inside the ARIAs and what it takes to succeed

Yesterday was the 38th Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards.  It’s Australia's musical industry night of nights, where artists from across the country are recognised for their succe...

21 Marras 20249min

Should we be ditching X for Bluesky?

Should we be ditching X for Bluesky?

Headlines: Social media ban legislation to be introduced to parliament today, US closes embassy in Ukraine amid warnings of ‘significant air attack’, Hawthorn settles court case with previous Indigeno...

20 Marras 202424min

What if I'm autistic? | Tom's diagnosis

What if I'm autistic? | Tom's diagnosis

Tom always suspected he was autistic, but had never been formally diagnosed. Now he knows the answer. In this five-part special series of The Briefing, we team up with Autism Awareness Australia and S...

20 Marras 20249min

Is your neighbour 3D printing a gun?

Is your neighbour 3D printing a gun?

Headlines: Ukraine fires first US missiles at Russia, Female CEOs in Australia paid $170,000 less, Sydney train network to shut down for three days over union dispute, and a Doomsday fish washes up on...

19 Marras 202423min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-podme-livebox
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
rikosmyytit
the-ulkopolitist
rss-mina-ukkola
linda-maria
radio-antro
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
popcorn-with-esko
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-50100-podcast