The US Supreme Court decision allowing detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to appeal to the US courts is nothing more than an academic victory according to American Human Rights Activist, Elaine Cassell. She argues, they have little hope of a fair trial either before a military tribunal or in the US legal system. Stephen Kenny, lawyer for Australian detainee, David Hicks, says the Australian Government needs to follow the lead of British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and demand that the two Australian detainees be brought home.

The South Australian Government has set up a Commission of Inquiry into the way complaints of sexual abuse were dealt with, concerning children who were in state care. Child Welfare Advocates have welcomed the inquiry. Tina Dolgopol, lecturer in law at Flinders University, says that any recommendations to come out of the inquiry must be implemented to a void future abuses.

From today, students will be paying up to 10% more for their text books following the abolition of the Educational Textbook Subsidy Scheme. The subsidy was introduced to counter the cost of the GST. Jodie Jensen, President of the National Union of Students, says that on average students already spend $700 a semester on books and the price rise will only impose an added financial burden on cash strapped students.

A new comic book dealing with the down side of alcohol and drugs has been developed specifically for young indigenous people. It's called Risky Business. Scott Wilson, the Director of the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council says the comic admits that drugs can be fun but that the dangers often outweigh the pleasures.

The federal government has cut funding to community legal centres by $50, 000 each. Eight community legal centres in regional areas have been forced to drop a solicitor and one centre, in WA has had to close. Liz Bishop, the Director of The National Association of Community Legal Centres says people in regional areas will miss out on free face to face legal advice as a result of the cuts.