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.

Avsnitt(2553)

How to make friends with a magpie this swooping season + Headlines

How to make friends with a magpie this swooping season + Headlines

Spring brings with it some pretty wonderful things; blooming flowers, warmer weather and longer days. But it also means another thing that can strike fear into the heart of nearly every Australian – m...

29 Aug 202421min

Paralympian Carol Cooke on why all eyes should be on Paris

Paralympian Carol Cooke on why all eyes should be on Paris

The Paralympics are on! In the very early hours of this morning Australia time, a spectacular opening ceremony kicked off the 2024 summer games in Paris, with more than 4,000 athletes from around the ...

29 Aug 202413min

The world's most expensive painting might soon be on display + Headlines

The world's most expensive painting might soon be on display + Headlines

Leonardo da Vinci + a Saudi Prince + one very old painting = a world of controversy. Salvator Mundi is the most expensive painting sold at auction. Dubbed the male Mona Lisa, Salvator Mundi is attribu...

28 Aug 202420min

Researchers have proof astrology is bullshit. Does that matter?

Researchers have proof astrology is bullshit. Does that matter?

A new study has found astrologers are no better at prediction than random guessing. Does that matter? Many of those obsessed with their astrological chart when pressed might still admit it’s probably ...

28 Aug 202410min

Oasis is getting the band back together + Headlines

Oasis is getting the band back together + Headlines

Noel and Liam Gallagher, the two brothers behind the seminal British band Oasis, have announced they’re about to head out on a massive tour - the first time they’ve appeared together since 2009. Noel ...

27 Aug 202421min

Meet the woman paid to be a bride’s fake friend

Meet the woman paid to be a bride’s fake friend

Planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful - especially with the average wedding in Australia costing nearly $35,000. That’s a price tag that can cover everything from venue hire, catering, hair, ...

27 Aug 202411min

Should the Census ask you if you’re gay?  + Headlines

Should the Census ask you if you’re gay? + Headlines

Should the 2026 Census ask you if you’re gay? That’s one of the questions advocacy groups for queer Australians have been grappling with as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) prepares its next ...

26 Aug 202420min

Telegram’s CEO is under arrest. What does that say about free speech?

Telegram’s CEO is under arrest. What does that say about free speech?

Telegram is ranked as one of the world's major social media platforms, after Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and Wechat. Just like Apple’s iMessage, Facebook messenger, Discord and What...

26 Aug 202412min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
motiv
blenda-2
p3-krim
rss-krimstad
fordomspodden
flashback-forever
rss-viva-fotboll
svenska-fall
svd-dokumentara-berattelser-2
aftonbladet-daily
spar
rss-sanning-konsekvens
rss-vad-fan-hande
olyckan-inifran
svd-ledarredaktionen
grans
kungligt
rss-krimreportrarna
dagens-eko