Law and Human Rights Expert Associate Professor Ronli Sifris to Join ALRC Review of Surrogacy Laws

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has announced Associate Professor Ronli Sifris as Assistant Commissioner for its Review of Surrogacy Laws. Assistant Commissioner Sifris is an Associate Professor at Monash University’s Faculty of Law and Deputy Director of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law. Assistant Commissioner Sifris is a well-regarded specialist on surrogacy laws and has researched and published on a range of topics. 

Assistant Commissioner Sifris will join the ALRC’s Review of Surrogacy Laws, led by ALRC President the Hon Justice Mordy Bromberg. Assistant Commissioner Sifris will help to lead and conduct the inquiry, together with the ALRC Inquiry team

Justice Bromberg welcomed Assistant Commissioner Sifris to the ALRC and the Inquiry: 

“I am pleased to welcome Dr Ronli Sifris to the ALRC and our Review of Surrogacy Laws. Ronli brings expertise and specialisation on surrogacy laws, and has extensively researched this subject in both the Australian and international contexts. I look forward to working with her on this review.” 

The ALRC’s Review of Surrogacy Laws were announced earlier this year, and the ALRC has been asked to deliver its final report to the Attorney-General by 29 July 2026. 

 

LINKS 

 

ENDS 

 

For more information contact: 

Jez Hunghanfoo 
Director of Communications and Engagement 
P: 0436 940 119 
E: comms@alrc.gov.au

Launch Event: 8:00am Thursday 13th March 2025

The Australian Law Reform Commission is pleased to host a launch event for Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence on Thursday 13th March 2025. Streaming online from Melbourne, the ALRC will give an overview of the report, its findings and recommendations, as well as a panel discussion with expert guests.

ALRC President the Hon Justice Mordy Bromberg will be joined by Inquiry Commissioner the Hon Marcia Neave AO, and member of the Inquiry’s Expert Advisory Committee and Executive Director of With You We Can Sarah Rosenberg, with a special video message from former prime minister the Hon Julia Gillard AC. Moderating the discussion will be ABC journalist and presenter Patricia Karvelas.

Justice Mordy Bromberg faces the camera. He has silver hair, and wears a light shirt and dark jacket.

Justice Mordy Bromberg

Marcia Neave AO

Sarah Rosenberg

Patricia Karvelas

Event details

No need to RSVP for the stream. Just visit ALRC’s Youtube channel on the morning, or watch via Youtube video embed below.

The report

Commonwealth Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP tabled the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) report Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence on Thursday 6th March 2025.

This report is the final product of our 12 month Inquiry led by Commissioners the Hon Marcia Neave AO, Judge Liesl Kudelka and ALRC President the Hon Justice Mordy Bromberg. The report incorporates extensive research and wide-reaching consultation with people with lived experience, experts and key organisations. This included a lived-experience Expert Advisory Group established by the Attorney-General’s Department, primarily comprised of people who have experienced sexual violence, as well as advocates.

 

The Final Report of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Inquiry into Justice Reponses to Sexual Violence has been tabled in parliament today. The report, Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence, and its 64 recommendations are the culmination of a 12-month Inquiry.  

The ALRC has concluded that the justice system is currently failing to meet the twin goals of access to justice and accountability. The justice system is not supporting those who have experienced sexual violence to seek justice, nor holding those who use sexual violence to account.  

Sexual violence is one of the most widespread and serious harms confronting Australia. One in 5 women and 1 in 16 men have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. Despite this prevalence, fewer than 1 in 10 incidents of sexual violence are reported to police. Where there is engagement with the justice system it is usually short-lived. In at least some Australian jurisdictions, between 75-85% of reports to police do not proceed to charge, and even fewer reports proceed to court. Once in court, many people report experiencing the justice system as retraumatising.   

The ALRC’s report shines a spotlight on under-engagement with the justice system as the primary issue that needs to be addressed. If people who have experienced sexual violence do not feel sufficiently safe, informed and supported to access and utilise the justice system, the justice system’s critical role in responding to and preventing sexual violence cannot be realised.   

ALRC President the Hon Justice Mordy Bromberg has thanked Commission staff and the Commissioners for the Inquiry the Hon Marcia Neave AM and Judge Liesl Kudelka, and welcomed the tabling of the Inquiry’s final report. 

Quote from ALRC President the Hon Justice Mordy Bromberg: 

“Overwhelmingly, people who have experienced sexual violence do not engage with the justice system for understandable reasons including fear, lack of trust or lack of information and support. The community rightly expects, and the rule of law requires, a justice system that is safe and accessible, yet we heard time and again from people who do not trust the system enough to engage in the first place, or were let down when they did. 

This Inquiry provides a critical national and system-wide view of the problems with the justice system’s response to sexual violence, and gives government a detailed roadmap for how to fix it. Our recommendations go to addressing barriers to engagement; increasing system accountability; avoiding retraumatisation; countering myths and misconceptions about sexual violence; and creating new justice options. Importantly, these reforms can be delivered without compromising the fundamental rights of an accused person to a fair trial.  

“I acknowledge and welcome the Government’s announcement today of additional funding for measures in line with our report. Implementing the ALRC’s recommendations will better ensure that people who have experienced sexual violence are able to access the justice system in a way that is safe, informed and supported. Implementation will diminish retraumatisation and provide to people who have experienced sexual violence additional justice options that meet their individual needs and interests. The justice system must be reformed if it is to play its critical role in addressing and preventing sexual violence.”

The ALRC’s 64 recommendations would improve the justice system’s response to sexual violence by:  

  • Addressing barriers for people who have experienced sexual violence to access and engage with the justice system;  
  • Strengthening the justice system’s accountability and processes, including by avoiding retraumatisation and countering myths and misconceptions about sexual violence; and 
  • Expanding justice pathways and the remedies available, including through civil and restorative justice pathways.  

BACKGROUND 

The ALRC’s inquiry was established by the Attorney-General on 23 January 2024. 

During the Inquiry, the ALRC received 220 submissions from individuals and organisations, and undertook 126 consultations, involving more than 384 consultees. The Inquiry was also supported by an Australian Government appointed Expert Advisory Group comprised of people with experience of sexual violence and advocates, providing critical input into this complex and sensitive Inquiry. 

FURTHER INFORMATION 

 

ENDS 

 

For more information or to request interviews contact: 

Jez Hunghanfoo 
Director of Communications and Engagement 
Australian Law Reform Commission 
P: 03 9959 5313 
E: comms@alrc.gov.au

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has received Terms of Reference from Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP to review Australian human tissue laws. The review is asked to inquire and report on what reforms might be necessary to modernise and harmonise human tissue laws across Australian jurisdictions. 

Following the agreement of all Commonwealth, State and Territory Health Ministers to review human tissue laws, the Terms of Reference direct the ALRC to explore matters including: 

  • Donation, retrieval and transplant of human cells, tissues and organs
  • Consent arrangements
  • Regulation of ‘schools of anatomy’ and donation for education purposes
  • Frameworks across all Australian jurisdictions relating to donation and retrieval of cells, tissues and organs from living and deceased persons
  • Cost recovery, financial and other considerations relating to manufacture and provision of tissue 

The ALRC is also asked to consider: 

  • Equity and ethical approaches to improving access to cell, tissue and organ transplantation
  • Contemporary and emerging technologies and practices
  • International experience and approaches 

In welcoming the commencement of the new inquiry, ALRC President the Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg said: 

“I am pleased to lead this Review alongside Commissioner Dr Maeghan Toews, and to consider how to best modernise this highly complex and important area of law. The ALRC first looked at human tissue laws almost 50 years ago, and while social, technological and scientific changes have accelerated since then, human tissue laws have not kept pace. 

“The ALRC excels at combining cutting edge legal thinking, expert research, extensive consultation and community engagement. This Review will exemplify the importance and value of the specialised law reform work that the ALRC delivers, ensuring Australian law remains relevant, contemporary, best practice, and responsive to evolving community expectations. 

“Commissioner Toews is recognised both in Australia and internationally for her experience and expertise on human tissue laws. I look forward to collaborating with her throughout this Inquiry.” 

The Inquiry will commence on 17 February 2025, and the ALRC has been asked to deliver its final report to the Attorney-General by 16 August 2026. 

Links 

 

ENDS 

 

For more information contact: 

Jez Hunghanfoo 
Director of Communications and Engagement 
P: 03 9959 5313 
E: comms@alrc.gov.au 
W: www.alrc.gov.au 

From the ALRC President

Welcome to the latest edition of the ALRC In Brief newsletter. I’m pleased to update you on the work of the ALRC as we approach the end of 2024, and reflect on a dynamic and full year of work for the Commission.

Since my appointment last year, I have been struck by the volume and intensity of work undertaken by the ALRC and its staff. Each Inquiry we receive is a complex project, with hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of consultation, research, consideration, debate and collaboration before we produce our final reports.

We are very fortunate at the ALRC to enjoy contributions and participation in our Inquiries by many gracious individuals and organisations. Experts, leaders, representatives, researchers, those with lived experience and conscientious citizens generously give us their time, wisdom and perspective to better inform our work. This approach of deep engagement and genuine consultation has been an essential ingredient in the work of the two Inquiries that have been our focus this year, the Inquiry into Justice Responses to Sexual Violence and the Review of the Future Acts Regime, and will continue to be for Inquiries to come.

I want to extend my appreciation to all who have contributed to our Inquiries, and supported or followed our work. The ALRC’s efficacy is built on our reputation as an authoritative centre for excellence, and I thank all who have contributed to that effort.

– Mordy Bromberg

 

The Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg
President, Australian Law Reform Commission

Banner reads Justice Responses to Sexual Violence, with the crest of the Australian Government and ALRC
The Inquiry into Justice Responses to Sexual Violence is nearing its end, with the Inquiry team working to complete the final report. The Inquiry’s final report is due to be submitted to the Commonwealth Attorney-General in late January 2025, and the ALRC is looking forward to providing recommendations for further reform to this crucial area of law, policy and practice. Once our report is submitted to the Attorney-General, it must be tabled in parliament within 15 sitting days, after which it will be released publicly. We will update you when the final report is available to access.

A note that we are continuing to publish submissions made to the Inquiry on the ALRC website. We anticipate that we will soon have published all submissions (that are not confidential and that are appropriate to publish).

The Inquiry team would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed and made submissions throughout this year, particularly those with lived experience of sexual violence. We have been privileged to be trusted with your experiences and perspectives, and the Inquiry has benefited enormously from the insightful, constructive and highly personal contributions many people have made.

Banner reads Review of the Future Acts Regime, with the crest of the Australian Government and ALRC
The Review of the Future Acts Regime has been busy in the final months of 2024, culminating in the Issues Paper published at the end of November. The Issues Paper highlights key themes and areas of focus for the review, and starts a conversation by asking people to let us know their thoughts about the Inquiry.

The team has been engaging with native title holders and stakeholders around Australia, including industry and government. We are very grateful to everyone who has provided us their input so far.

The Issues Paper is available to access now, and you are invited to make a submission in response until 21 February 2025. In this phase of the Inquiry, we are focused on identifying important issues and problems with the regime, and ensuring we have understood and captured them fully, before we move on to proposing solutions and reforms.

Read the Issues Paper

a group of wooden blocks spelling out the number 2024 on a table with the last cube rotating from 4 to 5
Looking ahead to 2025

With 2025 almost upon us, the ALRC is looking forward to another busy year with our current Inquiries progressing, and new Inquiries commencing. In fact, next year is the Commission’s 50th anniversary, and we are excited to be undertaking one of our largest ever programs of work, highlighting our ongoing role as a vital, dynamic and innovative law reform institution.

In addition to our current Inquiries, the ALRC will be commencing work on reviews of surrogacy laws and human tissue laws. The Review of Surrogacy Laws has just been referred to the ALRC by the Attorney-General in early December, and a human tissue laws review has been announced by the Attorney-General with Terms of Reference to come.

The two new Inquiries highlight the breadth and capability of the ALRC to undertake institutional law reform which is at the leading edge of legal thinking, bringing together our ability to blend expertise and broad consultation on issues and areas of law that impact the everyday lives of many Australians.

From the team at the Australian Law Reform Commission, we wish you a safe and restful break, and look forward to updating you on our work in the new year.

The ABC Radio National’s Big Ideas program has published an audio recording of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) President, the Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg, giving the 2024 Higinbotham Lecture at RMIT University in October 2024.

The annual Higinbotham Lecture is one of RMIT’s most prestigious events and celebrates the legacy of Victorian politician and Chief Justice, George Higinbotham, exploring topical legal issues and the interaction between law and society.

In his speech, Justice Bromberg reflects on the challenge of balancing human rights as they intersect and and interact, and discusses the ALRC’s experience in its recent review of religious education institutions and antidiscrimination laws. 

You can find the full audio of the lecture on the Big Ideas website.

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has received Terms of Reference from Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP to review Australian surrogacy laws, policies and practices. 

The Terms of Reference direct the ALRC to identify reforms, particularly proposals for uniform or complementary state, territory and Commonwealth laws that: 

  • are consistent with Australia’s obligations under international law and conventions; and 
  • protect and promote the human rights of children born as a result of surrogacy arrangements, surrogates and intending parents, noting that the best interests of children are paramount. 

In particular, the ALRC is further asked to consider: 

  • how to reduce barriers to domestic altruistic surrogacy arrangements in Australia, including by ensuring surrogates are adequately reimbursed for legal, medical and other expenses incurred as a consequence of the surrogacy; 
  • how surrogacy arrangements made outside of Australia should be addressed by Australian law; 
  • what is the appropriate recognition of legal parentage in Australia for children born of surrogacy overseas, and how may citizenship, visa and passport requirements for children born of surrogacy overseas be aligned; 
  • the information that should be available to children born from surrogacy arrangements, including what information should be included on a child’s birth certificate in order to meet Australia’s human rights obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

ALRC President the Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg has welcomed the referral of the new Inquiry: 

“The ALRC is pleased to be asked to review this important and complex area of law. Surrogacy in Australia brings together issues of law, medicine, technology, ethics and human rights, and a review of surrogacy laws requires sensitivity, nuance and expertise.  

“The ALRC has a strong track record undertaking detailed and comprehensive reviews, and conducting extensive consultation with the community, people with lived experience and experts in the field. We look forward to providing the Attorney-General with evidence-based recommendations for reform.” 

The ALRC has been asked to deliver its final report to the Attorney-General by 29 July 2026. 

Links 

Review of Surrogacy Laws on ALRC website: https://www.alrc.gov.au/inquiry/review-of-surrogacy-laws/ 

Full Terms of Reference: https://www.alrc.gov.au/inquiry/review-of-surrogacy-laws/terms-of-reference 

Further information about the ALRC, its work and leadership: https://www.alrc.gov.au/about/ 

 

ENDS 

 

For more information contact: 

Jez Hunghanfoo 
Director of Communications and Engagement 
P: 0436 940 119 
E: comms@alrc.gov.au 
W: www.alrc.gov.au 

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) today released its Issues Paper in its review of the future acts regime in the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), calling for submissions to the Inquiry.  

ALRC Commissioner Tony McAvoy SC, a Wirdi man, commented on the Issue Paper’s release: “I’m pleased to release the Issues Paper for the ALRC’s Review of the future acts regime. This is an important milestone in the Inquiry. I invite all First Nations people, Native Title holders, industry and other stakeholders to fully and actively engage with the paper and the Review”. 

The future acts regime is the legal framework that sets out the processes and requirements that apply when native title rights and interests are impacted by certain actions, such as the grant of a mining lease or building of public infrastructure.  

The Issues Paper introduces the Inquiry and the future acts regime and provides an overview of some important issues identified so far. These issues include: 

  • Resourcing and capacity to support engagement with the future acts regime; 
  • Agreement-making and procedural rights under the regime; 
  • Alternative regimes, and how the current future acts regime interacts with other legislation; 
  • Whether the regime is achieving its goals as stated in the preamble to the Native Title Act, and a lack of data to assess performance; and 
  • The suitability of the regime for new and emerging industries. 

The Issues Paper also asks five questions to help guide submissions. These questions focus on important issues for the Inquiry to consider, including what works well in the future acts regime, ideas for reform, what an ideal future acts regime would look like, and nominating any important issues the ALRC hasn’t yet identified. 

The Issues Paper has been developed following extensive initial work by the ALRC, and in consultation with the expert Advisory Committee appointed to the Inquiry. Advisory Committee members bring valuable experience, expertise and perspectives, with members including highly regarded Native Title holders and representative body members, government officials, legal experts, industry leaders, and academic experts.  

Submissions are now open in response to the Issues Paper.  The ALRC is calling for input from First Nations communities and their representatives, industry and business, governments, and the public. Organisations and individuals are invited to provide submissions until 21 February 2025. 

The ALRC will continue consultations throughout 2025, and will also publish a Discussion Paper, which will present more detail on options for reform, in response to which the ALRC will also invite submissions. 

Background 

Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus MP KC, referred the Review of the Future Acts Regime to the ALRC on 4 June 2024.  

The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference request the ALRC to consider the Native Title Act’s intent and the current operation of the future acts regime. The ALRC has been asked to recommend reforms that provide for Australia’s current and future social and economic development in a way that protects the rights and interests of native title holders, as well as allowing communities, industry, business and government to navigate the regime effectively, fairly and efficiently.  

The future acts review is being led by Commissioner Tony McAvoy SC, a Wirdi man, accomplished barrister and native title expert, alongside the ALRC President, the Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg. The ALRC is to provide its final report to the Government by 8 December 2025.  

Learn more about the review at www.alrc.gov.au/inquiry/review-of-the-future-acts-regime. 

Links 

Review of the Future Acts Regime Issues Paper (2024) 

Submissions to the Review of the Future Acts Regime 

Terms of Reference for the Review of the Future Acts Regime 

 

ENDS

 

For more information contact:

Jez Hunghanfoo
Director of Communications and Engagement
P: 0436 940 119
E: comms@alrc.gov.au
W: www.alrc.gov.au

ALRC In Brief Banner image

Modernising Australia’s human tissue laws

The Attorney-General has announced that he will soon refer the ALRC an inquiry into Australia’s human tissue laws.

It has been almost 50 years since the ALRC completed its 1977 report, Human Tissue Transplants. Significant social, technological, and scientific change in that time means the law has not kept pace, while legislative amendments have produced inconsistencies between state and territory laws. The ALRC’s inquiry will look at how to modernise and harmonise these laws.

The Attorney-General is undertaking a merit-based selection process to identify a suitable Commissioner to lead the inquiry and we look forward to receiving and sharing the Terms of Reference for the inquiry later this year.

READ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S MEDIA RELEASE

ALRC welcomes Tony McAvoy SC

The ALRC is delighted to be joined by Tony McAvoy SC as a Commissioner to lead the ALRC’s Review of the Future Acts Regime.

Tony is a Wirdi man from Central Queensland and is widely recognised as Australia’s most senior First Nations barrister, with over three decades of experience in native title, property, and environmental law.

Through this Inquiry, the ALRC will review the operation of the future acts regime under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). We will look at how the future acts regime works now, and how it can be improved to make it work effectively, equally, and fairly.

A one-page Information Sheet and the full Terms of Reference are available on the ALRC website.

DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION SHEET

READ THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

Thank you for your submissions

The ALRC sincerely thanks everyone who made a submission in response to the Issues Paper. The experiences and insights shared with us through submissions will help to shape our recommendations for reform.

The ALRC received over 200 submissions and we have begun publishing non-confidential submissions. In recognition of the sensitivities of some submissions and the ALRC’s commitment to a trauma-informed Inquiry process, the ALRC is still processing some submissions for publication. Rather than delay the publication of all submissions, the ALRC will publish submissions in stages.

Please be aware that some of these submissions contain discussion of sexual violence. If you, or someone you know, need help, support services are available (and some are listed immediately below).

READ SUBMISSIONS ONLINE

READ THE ISSUES PAPER


Support is available

The ALRC recognises the inherent sensitivities involved in undertaking an inquiry relating to sexual violence. In conducting this Inquiry, the ALRC is employing a trauma-informed and holistic approach to support stakeholders, particularly victim-survivors of sexual violence, and to minimise re-traumatisation.

If you, or someone you know, need help, the following services are available:

Further information about support services is available on the ALRC website.

VISIT THE INQUIRY WEBSITE


2024 Higinbotham Lecture with ALRC President, Justice Mordy Bromberg

RMIT, 24 October 2024, 5:30 pm
On Thursday 24 October 2024, Justice Bromberg will deliver RMIT’s annual Higinbotham Lecture. The lecture celebrates the legacy of Victorian politician and Chief Justice, George Higinbotham, exploring topical legal issues and the interaction between law and society.

In light of the ALRC’s recent inquiry into Religious Education Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws, Justice Bromberg will explore how to approach the delicate task of managing conflicting human rights.

This public lecture is free to attend and registration will remain open via the RMIT website until 21 October 2024.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Wednesday 1 May 2024 at 1.00pm AEST

Register now

After more than 20 years of development, the legislative framework for corporations and financial services legislation is no longer fit for purpose. So, what should reform look like?

Join the ALRC for a conversational and interactive analysis of the Final Report in the corporations and financial services legislation Inquiry. The Final Report is the culmination of three years examining the causes and costs of legislative complexity, and contains the ALRC’s 58 recommendations for reform.

Key questions for discussion include:

  • why legislative complexity matters;
  • how a reformed legislative framework for financial services legislation would reduce complexity; and
  • how implementing the ALRC’s reforms would reduce the costs of complexity.

Participants are invited to submit questions for the ALRC panelists both before and during the webinar.

Panel:

  • Christopher Ash, Principal Legal Officer, ALRC
  • Nicholas Simoes da Silva, Senior Legal Officer, ALRC
  • Ellie Filkin, Legal Officer, ALRC

Facilitators:

  • June Ahern, Lawyer and Company Law Content Editor, Wolters Kluwer Australia
  • Francis Leach, Director of Communications & Media, ALRC

Submit your questions to the panel upon registration or via financial.services@alrc.gov.au