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)

BONUS: The science behind the Kathleen Folbigg inquiry

BONUS: The science behind the Kathleen Folbigg inquiry

Kathleen Folbigg has been in prison for nearly 20 years, charged with murdering 3 of her children and one charge of manslaughter. While she’s been behind bars, genetics research has made exponential l...

1 Maalis 202320min

Could a new inquiry finally  prove Kathleen Folbigg’s innocence?

Could a new inquiry finally prove Kathleen Folbigg’s innocence?

Kathleen Folbigg is serving a minimum 25-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2003 of the murder of her three children, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura, and the manslaughter of her first child, Cal...

28 Helmi 202318min

Gay Conversion Therapy Part 2: Where are we now?

Gay Conversion Therapy Part 2: Where are we now?

Conversion therapy is banned in Qld, Victoria and the ACT, but it’s still legal in NSW. It's in the process of being banned in WA, but still looks to be legal in the NT and SA too. In NSW, Independent...

27 Helmi 202319min

Gay Conversion Therapy Part 1: “I convinced myself I could ignore it.”

Gay Conversion Therapy Part 1: “I convinced myself I could ignore it.”

Conversion therapy is banned in Qld, Victoria and the ACT, but it’s still legal in NSW. It's in the process of being banned in WA, but still looks to be legal in the NT and SA too. In NSW, Independent...

26 Helmi 202320min

Claire Tonti is a teacher turned podcaster turned musician.

Claire Tonti is a teacher turned podcaster turned musician.

Why are all the good songs written for people in their twenties? Why is it, as we get older and have partners, and children, pets and parents-in-law, mortgages and muscle aches, that music stops being...

24 Helmi 202325min

The Voice BONUS: What is the Uluru Statement?

The Voice BONUS: What is the Uluru Statement?

Later this year we'll be voting in a referendum on the Voice, but how did it come about? In this bonus episode we go into the history of the Voice: the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Uluru Statem...

24 Helmi 202314min

The Voice Part 2: The case for voting 'yes'

The Voice Part 2: The case for voting 'yes'

Footage from last month’s Invasion Day rallies around Australia featured speakers urging those gathered to vote ‘No’ in the promised Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum expected later this year....

23 Helmi 202319min

The Voice Part 1: Understanding Indigenous opposition

The Voice Part 1: Understanding Indigenous opposition

Footage from last month’s Invasion Day rallies around Australia featured speakers urging those gathered to vote ‘No’ in the promised Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum expected later this year....

22 Helmi 202320min

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