The Latest Breaking News from Josh Pallas

Police drop charges against Rising Tide activists

The three climate activists participated in the blockade of Newcastle Harbour.

Newcastle Herald · Jun 17

'Enough': push to drop charges against 129 protesters

Police are reviewing charges against scores of climate protesters who took part in a blockade of the world's largest coal port after allies were acquitted.

AAP · Oct 22, 2025

NSW knife laws allowing suspects to be scanned without a warrant could be ‘abused by police’

Legal expert says wording of legislation is ambiguous and police powers need to be explicitly limited

The Guardian - AU · Jun 4, 2024

Woman, 95, Tasered by officer at Cooma aged care home, approached on walking frame with a knife, police say

Police said the officer’s duty status was under review, as civil liberties groups demanded an independent investigation into incident that left Clare Nowland in critical condition

The Guardian - AU · May 19, 2023

Woman, 95, fighting for life after being tasered TWICE by police in care home

Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old mother-of-eight, was found by staff holding a knife at her care home Yallambee Lodge, in southern New South Wales, in Australia

Daily Mirror · May 18, 2023

NSW woman to receive $18,000 after police looking into suspected Covid protest trespassed on property

Sanchia Romani awarded damages after officers ignored her ‘no trespassing’ signs in August 2021

The Guardian - AU · Feb 9, 2023

Protest outside George Pell’s funeral to go ahead after police back away from attempted ban

Community Action for Rainbow Rights reach an agreement with NSW police outside of court to march along modified route

The Guardian - AU · Feb 1, 2023

Climate activist who blocked traffic on Sydney Harbour Bridge jailed for at least eight months

Lawyers for Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco, who stopped traffic for 25 minutes in April, say it is ‘outrageous’ their client was refused bail before an appeal next year

The Guardian - AU · Dec 2, 2022

Strict anti-protest laws may have encouraged mining conference to move from Melbourne to Sydney

Legal observers also say police in the eastern states have been visiting the homes of climate activists in the leadup to the conference

The Guardian - AU · Oct 28, 2022

Privacy fears over American data swap deal

There are serious concerns an agreement for more data sharing between American and Australian law enforcement agencies could go too far.

AAP · Oct 12, 2022