Inquiries

The ALRC conducts inquiries - sometimes called references - into areas of law reform at the request of the Attorney-General of Australia. Here you can access information about all ALRC inquiries since the Commission was established in 1975.

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Complete list

Family violence and Commonwealth laws - Published on 19 August 2010. Last modified on 26 August 2010.

In July 2010 the ALRC was asked to report on the issue of the treatment of family/domestic violence in Commonwealth laws, including child support and family assistance law, immigration law, employment law, social security law, superannuation law and privacy provisions in relation to those experiencing family/domestic violence.

Discovery of documents in Federal Courts - Published on 29 June 2010. Last modified on 30 August 2010.

The ALRC received Terms of Reference from the Attorney-General on 10 May 2010 to explore options to improve the discovery process in civil litigation to promote the early and proportionate exchange of information and evidence in court proceedings.

Family violence - Published on 20 June 2010. Last modified on 26 August 2010.

The 2009 report of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children—Time For Action—identified the complex interaction between state and territory family and domestic violence and child protection laws and the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The National Council made a number of recommendations, including that the ALRC should undertake an inquiry into these laws.

Royal Commissions and Official Inquiries - Published on 10 February 2010. Last modified on 30 July 2010.

The Terms of Reference for this Inquiry directed the ALRC to consider a number of matters including whether there was any need to develop an alternative form or forms of Commonwealth executive inquiry, with statutory foundations, to provide more flexibility, less formality and greater cost-effectiveness than a Royal Commission.

Secrecy laws and open government - Published on 25 December 2009. Last modified on 23 August 2010.

On 5 August 2008, the Attorney-General asked the ALRC to conduct an Inquiry into options for ensuring a consistent approach across government to the protection of Commonwealth information, balanced against the need to maintain an open and accountable government by providing appropriate access to information.

Sentencing of federal offenders - Published on 1 June 2009. Last modified on 23 August 2010.

In July 2004, the federal Attorney-General, the Hon Philip Ruddock MP, asked the ALRC to examine the laws and practices governing sentencing of federal offenders, that is, people convicted of criminal offences set out in Commonwealth, rather than state and territory, legislation.

Sedition - Published on 5 July 2006. Last modified on 30 July 2010.

In this Inquiry, the ALRC examined the offence of sedition, as amended by federal Parliament in 2005.

Client legal privilege in federal investigations - Published on 5 July 2006. Last modified on 23 August 2010.

In this Inquiry, the ALRC examined the application of client legal privilege (also known as legal professional privilege) within the context of federal investigations.

Privacy law and practice - Published on 25 June 2006. Last modified on 29 July 2010.

This 28 month inquiry looked at the extent to which the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and related laws continue to provide an effective framework for the protection of privacy in Australia.

Uniform Evidence Law - Published on 6 February 2006. Last modified on 28 July 2010.

In July 2004, the Attorney-General of Australia asked the ALRC to examine the operation of the Evidence Act 1995 (Cth).