“Yesterday (AEDT), the family history website Ancestry.com.au releases online the Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons 1791-1846 and the NSW Certificates of Freedom 1827-1867, which “completes” the journey from arrest to release of almost one third of all convicts transported to Australia.”
Its ANCESTRY.COM which arouses an unhealthy rage in my breast and the old rebellious streak for the costs involved to look at our own Government records. Nevertheless, its there for those of you with a wallet which can access it.
LYNNE BELL SANDERS 
Are criminal records by law suppose to be free and it is just the copying at the courthouse that cost money?
I used a professional researcher to search and copy the entire criminal records for my great great great grandmother in the Scottish National Archive (she was transported to Vam Dieman’s Land in 1847). It cost me something like about $120 but was over seventy pages of copies or the original documents, trial transcripst, witness statements etc etc. My first clue came from Ancestry.com about two years ago and I managed to get additional information here in Australia. I think it was worth every cent.