News and Insights

Thousands of crimes – from bootlegging to murder – were committed under the reign of US organised crime boss Al Capone. Yet, the Prohibition-era gangster, who oversaw a criminal network worth an estimated $100M annually, operated outside the scope of criminal liability because he “didn’t get his hands dirty”. Famously, Al Capone was never prosecuted for any of the crimes he masterminded, a handful of tax evasion charges triggering his downfall.

This week, ASIO chief Mike Burgess delivered his sixth Annual Threat Assessment. His approach this time was unprecedented. Instead of focusing on past and present threats, Burgess declassified parts of ASIO’s assessment for the future, warning us about Australia’s security outlook to 2030.

Cultural artefacts and historic sites around the world are being threatened by organised crime groups who traffic the items for lucrative profits, a team of researchers from The University of Queensland found.

University of Queensland law alum Matisse Reed has been announced as Queensland's 2025 Rhodes Scholar.

THE CONVERSATION | 61 countries recently endorsed an important "Blueprint for Action" for governing AI within the military – but there is still a gap in understanding what constitutes responsible use.

Studying a Master of Laws at The University of Queensland (UQ) fulfilled two distinct desires for self-motivated career professional Brendan Pitman.

When Labor came to power federally after almost a decade in opposition, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek pledged to turn around Australia’s worsening environmental woes, from extinctions to land clearing to climate change.

THE CONVERSATION | Google is facing another antitrust case as the US Department of Justice claims its parent company Alphabet has monopolised multiple digital advertising technology products.

THE CONVERSATION | Handling misinformation and disinformation has perplexed governments around the world and the emergence of AI has made the issue all the more difficult.

Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) alum Anna Merlo interviews Dony Rodriguez, the TC Beirne School of Law student support and wellness officer, about his role and advice for students.

THE CONVERSATION | Dr Rosemary Gibson, touching on the famous Bluey episode “The Sign”, explores the real-life scenario of ending a contract to purchase or sell a house simply because you’ve changed your mind.

THE CONVERSATION | Southern Cryonics in rural New South Wales announced it had successfully cryopreserved its first patient. What is cryopreservation and what are its legal ramifications?

THE CONVERSATION | Associate Professor Justine Bell-James believes we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to halt and reverse biodiversity loss through ambitious law and policy reform.

Returning to university to undertake a master’s degree in law is a big commitment, but one that will ultimately help you enhance your expertise, develop your research skills and sharpen your professional edge.

THE CONVERSATION | In response to the Annual Threat Assessment delivered by Mike Burgess, Brendan Walker-Munro and Sarah Kendall explain the legal definition of sabotage and how ASIO is meeting these dangers.

Professor Ann Black from UQ Law School has received a prestigious Award for Teaching Excellence at the annual Australian Awards for University Teaching.

Five UQ law students have participated in an international course on cybercrime in Zurich, Switzerland.

Studying an undergraduate program at the UQ Law School provides you with a variety of enriching extra-curricular and co-curricular experiences that will give you an edge as you start your career.

‘Red tape’ is hindering marine and coastal restoration projects across Australia, according to University of Queensland research led by Associate Professor Justine Bell-James