Reform Issue 88, Winter 2006 – Life, Law and Leisure
In the 1960s, it was thought that rapid developments in science and technology would create a pressing social problem in the early 21 st century—how to manage the abundance of leisure time.
Exactly as projected 40 years ago, the average middle class home in any developed country contains a large range of electronic appliances, yet all of the evidence suggests that, contrary to an over-abundance of leisure time, most people feel like they are working longer and harder than ever. With that, we see more uncertainty and anxiety about the security and rewards of employment; increasing levels of stress and mental illness; and high levels of family breakdown.
Law reformers are often called upon to examine the interaction between law and society, with a view to improving the relevance of the law to individuals and communities. This issue of Reform examines the way in which the law impacts on our access to—and enjoyment of—leisure time.
Authors for this edition of Reform discuss:
- the definition of the ‘good life’ and Australians attitudes to work and leisure (Dr Caroline West, University of Sydney );
- moves to more flexible workplaces (Lee-May Saw, Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW);
- ‘affluenza’ and attitudes to wealth (Clive Hamilton, The Australia Institute);
- children in the workforce (Elizabeth Fraser, Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian, QLD)
- billable hours and its impact on lawyers’ lives (Elizabeth Broderick, Blake Dawson Waldron);
- Generation Y attitudes to work (Rebecca Huntley, writer and social researcher); and
- the personal experience of a Sydney-to-Orange ‘tree-changer’ (Rosemary Adams, MBA).
Other articles consider how the law impacts on leisure, for example travel and tourism law (Trevor Atherton, Bond University); the law and sport (Deborah Healey, University of NSW) and how the law regulates our leisure time in public spaces (Prof Chris Cunneen, University of NSW).
The journal provides a comprehensive rundown on the Australasian Law Reform Agencies Conference (ALRAC), hosted by the Australian Law Reform Commission in Sydney in April 2006. Articles on ALRAC 2006 include the Attorney-General’s welcome message to the conference, and the keynote address given by the Hon Justice Ronald Sackville, of the Federal Court of Australia.
Articles on the ALRC’s work provide updates on ongoing inquiries into privacy and sedition. An article by Senior Legal Officer Isabella Cosenza provides a summary of the recently completed ALRC report, Same crime, same time: The sentencing of federal offenders.
Books reviewed in Reform 88 are:
- Human Rights in the ‘War on Terror’ by Richard Ashby Wilson (ed), Cambridge University Press
- Ever Yours, C H Spence by Susan Margarey and Barbara Wall (eds), Wakefield Press
- The Road to a Remedy: Current Issues in the Litigation of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by John Squires, Malcolm Langford, Bret Thiele (eds), Australian Human Rights Centre, distributed by UNSW Press.
Contents
Life, Law and Leisure
Definition of the good life—Caroline West
Towards a more flexible workplace—Lee-May Saw
Affluenza in Australia —Clive Hamilton
Leaves and branches: The view from a tree changer—Rosemary Adams
A job for life? Attitudes to work amongst Generation Y—Rebecca Huntley
Strengthening safeguards: Employment protection for children and young people in Queensland —Elizabeth Fraser
Clock watching: The impact of billing for time—Elizabeth Broderick
Travel and tourism law in Australia —Trevor Atherton
The court as referee in sport: What are the limits?—Deborah Healey
Policing public order and public spaces—Chris Cunneen
ALRC work
ALRAC 2006: Preparing for tomorrow’s challenges
ALRAC 2006: Attorney-General’s welcome message
ALRAC 2006: Peering over the horizon—Ronald Sackville
Privacy protection: A balancing act under the Privacy Act—Peter Turner
Review of federal sedition laws—Kate Connors
Same crime, same time: The sentencing of federal offenders—Isabella Cosenza
Other law reform projects
Law reform and the Law Commission in New Zealand after 20 years: We need to try a little harder—Geoffrey Palmer
Other
A new degree in socio-legal studies at the University of SydneyRegular features
Comment—Professor David Weisbrot
Commission news
Reviews
Reform roundup
Clearing house
Contacts