Teen car chase through mall + Character reference ban for sex offenders
The Briefing29 Sep 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.

Episoder(2540)

Punter's Politics on billionaires, billboards and backroom deals

Punter's Politics on billionaires, billboards and backroom deals

Konrad Michalski, better known as Punter's Politics, is on a mission to cut through the political spin and convince everyday Aussies (or punters) that politics actually matters. With a mass online fol...

28 Mar 202542min

Poll shock on election campaign + Kings Charles hospitalised

Poll shock on election campaign + Kings Charles hospitalised

Afternoon headlines: New poll shows Peter Dutton is now in the lead with voters, no jail time for ex-cop who tasered 95 year old in age care and two school students hit by an out of control car that w...

28 Mar 202515min

We have an election date + The truth about 'Australian Made'

We have an election date + The truth about 'Australian Made'

Friday Headlines: We have an election date, Peter Dutton’s budget reply, NSW court docs and Nine hit by data breach, search continues for missing Queensland police officer, US Yemen attack update and ...

27 Mar 202527min

PM's embarrassing election blunder

PM's embarrassing election blunder

Deep dive: Speculation is rife the Federal election will be called tomorrow, after an embarrassing blunder. The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet posted on social media that the government was ...

27 Mar 202510min

Dutton's plan for cheaper fuel + The deadly virus back in Australia

Dutton's plan for cheaper fuel + The deadly virus back in Australia

Thursday Headlines: Labor’s surprise tax cut passes the senate, groceries are the most expensive at Woolies, Salmon laws, NSW court data breach, and Bluey stars react to show’s censorship in the US. D...

26 Mar 202526min

What the Federal Budget means for your interest rates

What the Federal Budget means for your interest rates

Afternoon Headlines: The PM blasts the opposition over tax cuts, Jeanswest goes into administration and AirPods Pro 2 can now act as hearing aids. Deep Dive: Cost of living relief or a cruel hoax? We...

26 Mar 202515min

Budget breakdown: A cuppa's worth of tax cuts, free GPs & cheaper pints

Budget breakdown: A cuppa's worth of tax cuts, free GPs & cheaper pints

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down his fourth—and possibly final—Federal Budget. There are tax cuts, energy bill relief, and cheaper medicines on offer. The government's pitching it as a win for...

25 Mar 202522min

Top secret war plans sent to journalist by mistake

Top secret war plans sent to journalist by mistake

Afternoon Headlines: Trump and US Defence Secretary respond to leaked Yemen war plans and 2032 Olympic Games venue confirmed Deep Dive: Top secret US war plans have been leaked after a journalist was ...

25 Mar 202512min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
i-retten
stopp-verden
forklart
popradet
nokon-ma-ga
dine-penger-pengeradet
det-store-bildet
fotballpodden-2
rss-gukild-johaug
aftenbla-bla
hanna-de-heldige
rss-ness
bt-dokumentar-2
e24-podden
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-dannet-uten-piano
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk