Australian drug kingpin Tony Mokbel walks free after police informant scandal – 6 February 2026
Underworld figure Tony Mokbel has walked free after prosecutors in Victoria dropped the only remaining drug-trafficking charge against him. Mokbel spent about 18 years in prison after being sentenced in 2012 for running a major drug syndicate tied to Melbourne’s gangland wars. Courts earlier quashed some of his convictions and ordered retrials because evidence against him may have been tainted by Gobbo’s covert work for Victoria Police.
Patrol boats out of action in Cairns shipyards as foreign fishers reach Australian shores – 6 February 2026
At least a quarter of Border Force’s Cape-class patrol boats are undergoing maintenance on dry land amid an influx of illegal foreign fishing boats in Queensland waters. The ABC has also obtained photographs that show foreign fishing boats pulling into a creek on the mainland months before the federal government says it ramped up its border protection in the Far North. The federal government says it will not be revealing how many patrol boats are out of commission nor “telegraphing to our adversaries and enemies where they could go on a given day”.
Maritime safety regulator investigating Carnival cruise ship after whistleblower concern – 9 February 2026
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is investigating the Carnival Encounter cruise ship after complaints from crew members about poor working and living conditions. Investigators boarded the vessel while it was docked in Darwin Harbour to assess the situation. The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) received reports from a whistleblower alleging that crew were living in overcrowded quarters, had no safe free drinking water, and were earning as little as $2.50 an hour — despite working long hour.
Surrey hills woman charged over alleged $1.4m fake lawyer scam – 9 February 2026
A 42 year old woman from Surrey Hills, Melbourne, has been charged by Victoria Police’s Financial Crime Squad over accusations she posed as a qualified lawyer and unlawfully practised law. Authorities allege she did not have a law degree or an Australian practising certificate but worked at several law firms. She faces five counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and unlawful practice of law, charges that stem from deceiving firms and clients about her qualifications.
Access to digital version of The Australian require to read article
Bankrupt Sydney businessman named in a Hong Kong bribery case – 9 February 2026
A Sydney property developer, reportedly Sam Fayad, has been publicly identified as the Australian businessman implicated in a major Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) bribery investigation. The case is described as one of the most notable bribery scandals in recent corporate history in Hong Kong, with regulatory authorities pursuing investigations into alleged corruption tied to business operations there.
Access to digital version of SMH required to read article
WA Legal practice board inquiry a game changer, alleged unfit lawyer says – 9 February 2026
A major national law firm is facing legal allegations from a former client who has accused it of breaching contractual obligations and fiduciary duties tied to advice given over a decade ago. The dispute involves claims that the firm failed to properly advise the client, leading to losses or detriment, with the client arguing both contract based breaches and breaches of fiduciary duty — meaning the firm allegedly didn’t act in the client’s best interests as required for legal advisers.
Sydney barrister Mark Dennis SC found dead after being charged with possession of child abuse material – 10 February 2026
Prominent barrister Mark Dennis SC has been found dead at his home in Leichhardt, Sydney, while out on bail facing serious charges. The death is being investigated and a report will be prepared for the coroner. Dennis, 60, had been charged weeks earlier with offences related to the alleged possession of child abuse material after Australian Border Force officers found suspected material on his phone and other devices when he returned from overseas.
The tables have turned on this CFMEU investigator – 11 February 2026
The piece focuses on barrister Geoffrey Watson SC, the senior lawyer who was appointed to investigate alleged corruption and criminal conduct inside the CFMEU. Lawyers for the former CFMEU figures have pushed back against parts of Watson’s findings, including his critical characterisation of how the union’s leadership operated, and the assertions in his report about misconduct, organised crime links and failures by governments to act sooner. The article characterises this as a turning of the tables because Watson — initially the investigator exposing misconduct — now finds himself under pressure in legal hearings from the very people he scrutinised.
Access to digital version of The Australian required to read article
Kane Dallow sentenced to two years in prison on fraud and other charges – 11 February 2026
A Tasmanian man guilty of impersonating a court and attempting to use acquaintances’ names to apply for credit cards has been jailed. Kane Dallow was convicted on 28 crimes relating to fraud, forgery and perverting justice.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-11/tasmanian-man-kane-dallow-jailed-for-28-offences/106227598
Landmark high court ruling finds Catholic church had duty to protect NSW child from paedophile priest – 11 February 2026
Australia’s High Court has delivered a landmark decision finding that the Catholic Church had a legal duty of care to protect a boy from sexual abuse by a paedophile priest — even though the abuse occurred decades ago. A lower court had initially ruled for the survivor, but the NSW Court of Appeal had sided with the Church — saying the Church was not liable because it was not formally an employer of the priest and was unaware of specific risks at the time. The High Court overturned that appeal, holding that the Diocese owed a “non delegable duty” to ensure children under the care or supervision of its clergy were protected from foreseeable harm, including sexual abuse.
Parents association fined after allowing alleged sexual offender to keep working at care centre – 11 February 2026
A court has heard an alleged sexual offender was allowed to continue working shifts in obscured areas of a North Queensland after school care centre following complaints. Cranbrook State Primary School P&C Association pleaded guilty to six charges in Townsville Magistrates Court. The association has been ordered to pay a $50,000 penalty.
National firm accused of contractual, fiduciary breaches – 12 February 2026
A major national “BigLaw” firm is facing allegations from a former client who has taken legal action more than a decade after receiving advice from the firm. The former client alleges the firm provided negligent legal advice that caused him to incur substantial losses, including costs and lost opportunities. The claim includes both contractual breaches (arguing the firm failed to meet its agreed obligations) and breaches of fiduciary duty (arguing the firm didn’t act in the client’s best interests). The dispute has now escalated into formal legal proceedings, putting the firm’s conduct and professional duties under scrutiny.
“Four partners leave EY after independence rule breach on Shell audit” – 12 February 2026
Four senior partners at professional services firm EY (Ernst & Young) have resigned after the firm was found to have breached audit independence rules in its work auditing Shell. The breach occurred because EY provided non audit services to Shell while simultaneously serving as its external auditor — a combination that regulators say compromises auditor independence. As a result of the breach and ensuing scrutiny, Shell stripped EY of its role auditing the company, and the resignations reflect internal accountability and pressure on the firm’s leadership. The departures highlight broader regulatory pressure on audit firms to maintain strict independence and avoid conflicts of interest that could undermine the integrity of financial reporting
https://www.ft.com/content/7a9d9465-81b2-4443-9311-38e52c021595
