Australia’s record on wrongful convictions in serious crimes lags behind many developed countries due to systemic gaps in case review mechanisms, compensation frameworks and public accountability, as researched by AI.
No Australian government, state or federal, has a much needed policy to reform our fractured criminal justice systems. Australia comes last in the international league of justice, according to the tables below.
Conviction Drive (by Rosemary)
Comparative Overview
| Country | Dedicated Review Body | Average Annual Exonerations | Compensation Framework |
| United Kingdom | Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) | ~25 cases | Statutory, structured payments |
| United States | State-level review bodies, e.g., Innocence Projects | Hundreds (via DNA exonerations) | Varies by state; often substantial |
| Canada | Federal and provincial review bodies | Dozens | Statutory and discretionary |
| Australia | None | Very few | Discretionary ex gratia payments |
Key Observations
- Lack of Dedicated Review Mechanism: Unlike the UK, which has the CCRC, Australia lacks a national body to systematically review potential wrongful convictions. This absence contributes to a lower rate of overturned convictions.
- Limited Exonerations: the rarity of successful appeals in Australia is in contrast to the UK which averages around 25 overturned cases annually.
- Inconsistent Compensation: While the UK offers structured compensation, Australia’s reliance on discretionary ex gratia payments leads to inconsistencies and perceived inequities.
Conclusion
Australia’s criminal justice system is underperforming relative to other developed nations in addressing wrongful convictions. Establishing a dedicated review body and reforming compensation mechanisms are crucial steps toward aligning with international standards and ensuring justice for the wrongfully convicted.