Righting Wrongful Convictions with DNA Innocence Testing: Proposals for Legislative Reform in Australia

Abstract

Much has changed in the fight to correct wrongful convictions since Ned Kelly and his gang attempted to avenge Ned's mother's wrongful conviction for attempted murder, at the Stringybark Creek gunfight in October 1878.1 Gunfights are hopefully not so common now. However, the ability to correct wrongful convictions in Australia is still severely hampered by a lack of investigative and legal avenues available to those who have failed at their appeal. Australia has been slow to act but an important law reform opportunity now exists in this country for the correction of wrongful convictions.