Ombudsman delivers youth offending warning to Victorian government in extraordinary intervention – 14 November 2025
In an unusual move, ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath has written to Victorian MPs, warning the state government’s crackdown on youth offenders will have adverse effects on children in detention. She says there has been a 20 per cent increase in allegations of misconduct, including the use of force and misuse of power. Ms Baragwanath predicts the number of allegations could more than double if the crackdown continues.
Singapore battles dirty money from scam farms – 16 November 2025
Singapore authorities carried out a major enforcement operation against “scam farms”. Networks that run large-scale online fraud. Police seized hundreds of millions of dollars in financial assets, as well as a yacht and a fleet of luxury cars. Singapore is under pressure to strengthen its regulatory frameworks to more effectively combat financial crime tied to online fraud. The story underscores that such scam farms aren’t just a local issue — they have international reach, raising broader concerns about cross-border financial crime and money laundering.
https://www.ft.com/content/a81bc993-97fc-45d2-bd55-9dd32b5957d1
Police mental health unit under the spotlight after the deaths of 10 people – 17 November 2025
The officer in charge of training NSW Police recruits in responding to mental health crises was found, and cleared, of police misconduct in a fatal mental illness response. The ABC has uncovered the unit had just three officers tasked with training the entire 16,000 police force before it was rebranded. It comes as video shows police telling Collin Burling’s partner “you’re gonna be next” after the Waterloo man died in custody during a mental health episode earlier this year.
Debt collecting giant pursued 200,000 debts from Victorians while allegedly banned from operating in state – 17 November 2025
Panthera Finance, a major Australian debt-collection firm, is accused of pursuing over 200,000 debts in Victoria between May 2022 and June 2024, despite being banned from doing business in the state. The ban came after a 2020 federal court ruling that found Panthera had harassed consumers over disputed debts. Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) launched legal action in 2024, alleging that Panthera breached fair-trading laws by continuing to collect while “prohibited.”
Former police officer’s destruction of body-worn video and use of excessive force was serious misconduct, report finds – 17 November 2025
A former NSW constable who used excessive force on six separate occasions and destroyed incriminating body-worn video evidence has been found to have engaged in serious misconduct, alongside four officers he confessed to who didn’t report him.
Financial crimes regulator refers 45 suspected paedophiles following payment industry crackdown – 19 November 2025
AUSTRAC conducted a spot-check of 15 online payment platforms. As a result, they identified 45 customers they suspect of sending money overseas to pay for child sexual abuse content (both live and pre-recorded). These findings have been referred to law enforcement for further investigation.
Major family law firm Paterson and Dowding data hacked for ransom, extremely sensitive client info on dark web – 21 November 2025
Paterson & Dowding, a prominent family law firm in Western Australia, has confirmed a cyber-security incident. The Anubis ransomware gang claims responsibility for the breach. Hackers reportedly accessed and stole extremely sensitive client information, including: Financial records and client business documentation, Personal correspondence, including private messages, Legal case-strategy documents, court submissions, and other deeply personal legal materials. This incident raises serious questions about how well law firms protect confidential client data, especially for firms dealing with deeply personal legal matters.
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Jessica Buckley fourth person charged over alleged $71m Defence contracts fraud – 21 November 2025
The Australian Federal Police has charged a fourth person over an alleged $71 million Department of Defence contracts scheme. The ABC has confirmed that the 45-year-old woman charged is M + J Builders director, Jessica Buckley. Ms Buckley is due to appear before the Darwin Local Court on Friday, as the AFP operation continues.
Perth GP gave patient’s confidential medical records to ex-partner despite domestic violence concerns – 21 November 2025
A man was able to name his estranged wife’s baby without her knowledge after the woman’s doctor accessed and disclosed medical information without patient consent.
The doctor passed on the medical records despite knowing her patient had taken a violence restraining order out against the man. Following a State Administrative Tribunal hearing, the doctor was disqualified and banned from re-registering for nine months.
