Family Violence and Australian Partner Visas

1000 Partner visa application approvals each week and a very common problem According to statistics published by the Department of Home Affairs, in the 2019 to 2020 financial year, 52,479 Australian Partner visa applications were lodged. That is about 1000 applications each week. 96,361 applications were in the pipeline at the end of June 2020, awaiting processing. An article in the Medical Journal of Australia[1] explains that it is difficult to specify the incidence rate of family violence. The incidence rates depends upon the definition used; and whether the data comes from community crime victim surveys, community samples, or prevalence studies in...

Potts Lawyers Awarded Leading Criminal Law Firm

            Potts Lawyers Awarded as a Leading Criminal Law Firm by Doyle’s Guide 2020 Managing director, Rob Franklin is pleased to announce that Potts Lawyers has again been recognised by the prestigious Doyle’s Guide as a “first tier” leading criminal law firm in Queensland. Director Bill Potts has been named as a leading criminal lawyer whilst director Cameron Browne, Mark Williams and Erin Mitchell have been named as a recommended criminal lawyers. Andrew Hanlon has been announced the criminal law rising star and the firm has also been recognised as the Leading Traffic & DUI defence lawyers in Queensland. It is heartening to see that amongst the total of...

Bill Potts comments on domestic violence laws six months after horrific murders

Hannah Clarke's parents call for stronger domestic violence laws six months after horrific murders   Six months on from the shocking murders of Hannah Clarke and her three children, domestic violence advocates are calling for coercive control and petrol dousing to be established as offences in Queensland.Ms Clarke, 31, and her children, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey, were murdered in Brisbane's Camp Hill after her estranged husband Rowan Baxter ambushed them on the morning school run on February 19. Baxter, doused them with petrol and set the car alight before he died of self-inflicted stab wounds nearby. The three children — aged, six, four and...

Trolls could face jail for disgusting online attacks – Bill Potts comments

Ashleigh DoRozario as an inspiring woman in law, ‘Creating Visibility for Disability’

The Legal 500’s fivehundred magazine features Ashleigh DoRozario as an inspiring woman in law, ‘Creating Visibility for Disability’ Earlier this year, and much to my surprise, I was approached by the Head of Inclusion, Equality and Culture of The Legal 500 – a London based company assessing capabilities of law firms globally, and highlighting lawyers producing innovative advice and unrivalled experience in the legal industry. By way of background, The Legal 500 publish a monthly magazine, fivehundred, providing insight into themes affecting the legal profession internationally. I received an email from The Legal 500 pitching their upcoming March edition: celebrating Women’s History Month...

Bill Potts comments on revenge porn scandal

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Bill Potts responds to news that Dreamworld is facing criminal charges arising from tragic accident

Dreamworld can 'come back' from deadly disaster, PR expert says A public relations expert believes Dreamworld can make a comeback after a disastrous few years – but it won't be easy. Dreamworld's parent company faces a massive fine of $4.5 million after it was charged multiple times over the 2016 Thunder River Rapids tragedy which claimed four lives in Queensland. Ardent Leisure today confirmed it had been hit with three charges following an assessment by an independent prosecutor from Workplace Health and Safety, according to a statement given to the ASX. The three Category 2 charges, filed today in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, were...