Multiculturalism and the law
During the course of the inquiry, several consultation papers were released:An issues paper—Multiculturalism and the Law (ALRC IP 9) in 1990; andThree discussion papers in 1991—Multiculturalism: Family Law (ALRC DP 46); Multiculturalism: Criminal Law (ALRC DP 48); and Multiculturalism: Consumer Contracts (ALRC DP 49).The final report (ALRC Report 57) examined the principles underlying Australian family …
Inquiries
Read moreMatrimonial property
The ALRC received Terms of Reference to review laws relating to matrimonial property on 16 June 1983. The final report (ALRC Report 39) examined Australian community attitudes to questions of matrimonial property law. The emphasis was on assessing the contributions of the spouses to property and welfare of the family, which was impractical and inappropriate, …
Inquiries
Read moreMatrimonial Property (ALRC Report 39)
ALRC Report 39 (tabled December 1987) examined Australian community attitudes to questions of matrimonial property law.The emphasis was on assessing the contributions of the spouses to property and welfare of the family, which was impractical and inappropriate, especially with regard to superannuation benefits.View ALRC Report 39 in HTMLon the AustLII website.
Publications
Read moreCommunity law reform for the ACT – loss of consortium and compensation for loss of capacity to do housework
ALRC Report 32 (tabled 23 October 1986) examined the position in the Australian Capital Territory regarding the doctrine of loss of consortium. This doctrine allows a husband to recover damages for the loss of his wife’s companionship and services resulting from an injury inflicted on her through negligence. In the ALRC’s first report on community …
Inquiries
Read moreAboriginal Customary Laws
The ALRC received terms of reference for this inquiry on 9 February 1977.During the course of the inquiry, three Discussion Papers were produced:Aboriginal Customary Law — Recognition? (ALRC DP 17) in 1980;Aboriginal Customary Law — Marriage, Children and the Distribution of Property (ALRC DP 18) in 1982; andAboriginal Customary Law — Criminal Law, Evidence and …
Inquiries
Read moreRecognition of Aboriginal Customary Laws (ALRC Report 31)
The focus of ALRC Report 31 (tabled 12 June 1986) was whether it would be desirable to apply, either in whole or in part, Aboriginal customary law to Indigenous peoples—generally or in particular areas or to those living in tribal communities only. In addition, the report addressed whether in criminal cases existing courts should be able …
Publications
Read moreDomestic violence
The ALRC received Terms of Reference for this inquiry on 29 May 1984. The final report (ALRC Report 30, tabled March 1986) examined the issue of domestic violence within the Australian Capital Territory, focusing exclusively on incidents involving adult people who were married or living in a de facto relationship.Legal institutions’ responses to instances of …
Inquiries
Read moreDomestic Violence (ALRC Report 30)
ALRC Report 30 (tabled March 1986) examined the issue of domestic violence within the Australian Capital Territory, focusing exclusively on incidents involving adult people who were married or living in a de facto relationship.Legal institutions’ responses to instances of domestic violence had been criticised on two grounds. First, police were seen as taking a dismissive …
Publications
Read moreChild welfare laws and practices (ACT)
The Child Welfare report reviews the child welfare laws and practices in the Australian Capital Territory.The ALRC observed that the Children’s Court and police service lacked a clear policy and practical guidelines on how to manage cases involving young offenders.In addition, the welfare system was found to be inadequately equipped to deal with neglected, abused and uncontrollable …
Inquiries
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