Australian Emergency Law, published by Michael Eburn, PhD, focuses on legal issues related to emergency services and responses in Australia. The blog covers topics such as employment disputes and disciplinary actions within fire and rescue services, legal implications of safety alerts issued by rural fire services, and the legal aftermath of emergency incidents including terrorism and public safety events. It also addresses industrial relations and ministerial powers affecting emergency service organizations, as well as procedural challenges faced by emergency service personnel in legal claims. The blog discusses statutory interpretation, negligence, liability, and regulatory compliance in the context of emergency management and public safety law.
A correspondent has written and drawn my attention to:
Two NT cases are not directly related to emergency workers, but do remind readers of the unique duty to rescue imposed by Northern Territory legislation. In both cases, the defendant was accused of…
Today’s correspondent, from Victoria, is looking for:
… clarification on “No Trucks” (Rule 104) and “Load Limit” (non-existent Rule 103) signs. There seems to be some misinterpretation amongst many within my organization when I talk to various people.
My interpretation…
From Bill Madden’s WordPress at https://billmaddens.wordpress.com/2026/04/07/conduct-medical-publication-of-sexual-misconduct-findings-on-the-ahpra-national-register/
With the kind permission of Hannah Shiel, here is a link to her article on the new National Law provisions: (Link to BNLaw website).
From April 2026, information about past and current findings…
I’ve been asked to comment on the decision in Gawthrop v Bendigo Health [2026] VSC 157 (27 March 2026), a case that’s been described by Dr Danny Tucker, obstetrician and blogger as ‘the most significant Australian consent case for intrapartum…
Today’s correspondent asks:
How legal is this ? People in our town have started marking driveways with LEDs using blue and red colouring.
Blue road reflectors, often called raised retroreflective pavement markers (RRPMs) or “cat’s eyes,” are specifically used to…
In my post After action review, Paramedic disciplined for 1.5 minute delay in responding (November 8, 2025) I reported on a decision by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) that dealt with, amongst other things, a complaint that a…
I have previously reported on the decision in Paramedicine Board of Australia v Jackson; Physiotherapy Board of Australia v Smith [2025] SASCA 25 (20 March 2025) (see Relevant Tribunal cannot rule on matters prior to a paramedic’s registration (March 31,…
Today’s question is:
Out of interest is TfNSW [Transport for New South Wales] Traffic Emergency Patrollers, TMC Transport Commander and Rail Commander considered emergency workers under SERM Act or under their own respective legislation as I understand they all operate…
Today’s case – Collett v State of Queensland (Queensland Health) [2026] QIRC 084 – has only a very tenuous connection to ‘emergency’ law but I’ll report on it anyway as it involves definitions under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. …
Today’s correspondent is
… trying to ascertain as a registered paramedic working in private practice, can I collect blood?
I work in an environment with a pathology collector who has educated me on procedure and demonstrated it. He is willing…
