The availability of illicit tobacco in Australia has reached plague proportions, with organised crime involving itself in the smuggling and distribution of the product.

And here’s the strange part – the situation is the result of a public health policy success story!

This episode looks at the nature and scale of the problem as well as examines how policing the so-called heroin drought at the turn of the century might present some lessons for today’s law enforcement agencies.

The three articles are discussed in the episode are:

• ‘Tobacco Wars: An Australian Perspective’, written by Detective Inspector Rohan Best, which can be read at www.apjl.com.au/tobacco-wars/
• ‘Dual-edged benefits of drug policing: A quarter century’s lesson from a heroin drought’ is published in the Journal of Law and Economics, and can be accessed at It can be accessed at https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/jle/vol69/iss1/4/
• ‘As Australia’s tobacco wars continue, a NSW heroin drought in 2000 might offer lessons’, can be read at https://theconversation.com/as-australias-tobacco-wars-continue-a-nsw-heroin-drought-in-2000-might-offer-lessons-274537

Host: Jason Byrnes

Guests: Sergey Alexeev, Rohan Best and Dr Don Weatherburn

Visit www.apjl.com.au to learn more and subscribe.

What would be the challenges facing Australian police, should Australia find itself involved in an existential war for national survival?

The globe is currently experiencing intense geo-strategic rivalries and changing international norms. The Australian Government has described this era as being the most complex set of strategic circumstances since the end of the Second World War. War isn't certain, but many nations (including Australia) are currently building up their military capabilities and equipment levels, just in case.

This episode looks at Australian policing during the Second World War, and of Ukrainian policing in that nation's current defensive war against Russia, to identify what wartime policing could look like. Given the nature of modern war - especially the use of long range missiles, drones as well as acts of sabotage to cause civilian chaos - Australian police could find themselves effectively in the front lines. Further, police operations in wartime are likely to be impacted by societal anxieties, staffing availability and issues surrounding the reliability of equipment. Professionalism, innovation, resilience and dedication to service, will be critical for the policing of a nation at war.

The article that forms the basis of this episode -Total War: A Police Perspective - is in the March 2026 edition of the APJ. For more information, go to www.apjl.com.au.

Host: Gerard Dutton

Interviewee: Jason Byrnes APM

Former prosecutor, Supreme Court justice and anti-corruption commissioner John McKechnie AO KC, talks to host Jason Byrnes about his life and distinguished career. Over the course of five decades John has been involved in numerous high profile criminal cases, as well as hundreds of lesser-known matters that nonetheless impacted victims of crime and their families. In the conversation John includes observations of the legal system, the scourge of domestic violence, policing and the authenticity (or otherwise) of legal TV shows.

John’s book – My Life in Crime: A tapestry of cases – is published by Upswell Publishing. Those wanting to purchase the book can obtain a 10% discount if they purchase it at www.upswellpublishing.com, and use the coupon code: 10%OFF

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: John McKechnie AO KC

The book review of My Life in Crime can be read at www.apjl.com.au