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(2540)

Jacqui Lambie slams the majors + Bondi attacker's massacre obsession

Jacqui Lambie slams the majors + Bondi attacker's massacre obsession

Tuesday Headlines: National security, environment and dealing with a minority government firmly on the agenda, the first day of the Bondi Junction stabbings inquest, Vladimir Putin announces a three-d...

28 Huhti 202523min

Malcolm Turnbull on backing Albo, national security & dealing with Trump

Malcolm Turnbull on backing Albo, national security & dealing with Trump

Feeling uninspired by the current election? You’re not alone, as latest polling shows we’re heading for a hung parliament with some Australians saying it’s between the devil you know and the devil you...

28 Huhti 202516min

Welcome to Country controversy + 'Get ripped, get rich and get a girl'

Welcome to Country controversy + 'Get ripped, get rich and get a girl'

Monday Headlines: Albanese wins final leaders’ debate, Canadian car ramming death toll rises to 11, thousands rally after alleged murder of NSW teen, US pushing for peace between Ukraine and Russia fo...

27 Huhti 202522min

Grace Tame on winning as a woman, side-eyes and calling out power

Grace Tame on winning as a woman, side-eyes and calling out power

She’s side-eyed former Prime Ministers, called out power at the highest levels and reshaped Australia’s conversation around sexual abuse - Grace Tame is nothing short of a force. The former Australian...

25 Huhti 202535min

The young faces of war: 'Gladiators with the eyes of children'

The young faces of war: 'Gladiators with the eyes of children'

Deep Dive: As international alliances face growing uncertainty, new figures reveal that less than one in four Gen Z Australians feel a strong personal connection to ANZAC Day and only one in six say t...

25 Huhti 202515min

The career killing three Australians a fortnight

The career killing three Australians a fortnight

Friday Headlines: ANZAC Day services are held around the country, Extra security at MCG for today's football clash, Pope's Funeral tomorrow.Deep Dive: Thousands of former ADF members have died by suic...

24 Huhti 202518min

EXCLUSIVE: Peter Dutton responds to fake Nazi image, backflips and being underdog

EXCLUSIVE: Peter Dutton responds to fake Nazi image, backflips and being underdog

With just days to go until the federal election, a record number of Australians have already cast their vote and the latest exit polls suggest Labor is in front. That’s despite the Coalition starting...

24 Huhti 202519min

Huge fines for Apple and Meta + 'Not the truth police’ AEC on influencers

Huge fines for Apple and Meta + 'Not the truth police’ AEC on influencers

Thursday Headlines: Another Coalition backflip, Apple and Meta fined hundreds of millions, Sydney man charged over NSW court leak, Bunnings strikes agreement with 'terrified' plant growers and the vir...

23 Huhti 202522min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
viisupodi
otetaan-yhdet
rss-podme-livebox
rss-asiastudio
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
the-ulkopolitist
linda-maria
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-pykalien-takaa
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-kuka-mina-olen
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-kyselytunti