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

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.

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.

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.