Historic first meeting of the ALRC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has established an Indigenous Advisory Committee to assist in building stronger relationships with Indigenous peoples, and to ensure that the concerns and perspectives of Indigenous communities are more effectively integrated into the federal law reform process. Speaking at the historic first meeting on 19 August, ALRC President Professor David …
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Read moreGovernment gives giant ‘tick’ to ALRC privacy recommendations
The Australian Law Reform Commission has welcomed today’s announcement by the federal Government that it will implement a large portion of the recommendations of the ALRC’s review of Australian privacy laws.The first stage of the Australian Government’s formal response to For Your Information: Australian Privacy Law and Practice (ALRC 108) considers 197 of the 295 …
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Read moreALRC calls for greater flexibility, more options for Royal Commissions and other official inquiries
A legislative framework is required to govern the establishment and operation of official inquiries at the federal level, to ensure that such inquiries have adequate investigatory powers while at the same time ensuring the protection of the rights of individuals concerned, the nation’s peak law reform agency said today.This would put what are now simply …
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Read moreALRC to develop national legal framework to tackle family violence
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) welcomed today’s announcement by the Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, of new Terms of Reference for an Inquiry to address issues concerning violence against women and their children. The Terms of Reference ask the ALRC to focus on a number of matters, including: the interaction in practice …
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Read moreMedia Briefing – Review of Secrecy Laws: Discussion Paper 74
Introduction This briefing provides an overview of the ALRC’s Discussion Paper, Review of Secrecy Laws (DP 74). On 5 August 2008, the Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, asked the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to conduct an Inquiry into options for ensuring a consistent approach across government to the protection of Commonwealth information …
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Read moreALRC proposals to wind back federal secrecy laws
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) today released a Discussion Paper for its current inquiry into federal secrecy laws—Review of Secrecy Laws (DP 74, June 2009)—which makes 65 proposals for reform.The ALRC is seeking community feedback about how to balance a growing commitment to increased openness and transparency in government with the legitimate need to maintain the …
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Read moreNew Visions for Native Title and Reconciliation
A new vision for native title is needed to deliver on the hopes and expectations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians following the High Court’s decisions in Mabo and Wik. That is the message emerging from the latest edition of the ALRC’s Reform journal, to be launched today in Sydney by the Attorney-General of Australia, the …
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Read moreCost, formality of Royal Commissions queried in ALRC Review
The Australian Law Reform Commission today released an Issues Paper, Review of the Royal Commissions Act (IP35) seeking feedback from the community on 49 questions posed as part of its current review of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth). The ALRC has been asked by the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, to review the …
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Read moreNational phone-in and blog on Commonwealth Secrecy Laws
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) today announced a national two day phone-in and new online discussion forum as part of its commitment to engaging in widespread community consultation on reform of Commonwealth secrecy laws. Anyone who has ever been involved in handling Commonwealth information will have the chance to speak out about their personal experiences …
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Read moreALRC expresses deep gratitude to Justice Michael Kirby for service to law reform
Marking the resignation of Justice Michael Kirby, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) President, Professor David Weisbrot, today expressed his admiration and gratitude to the former High Court Judge for his outstanding dedication to law reform in Australia. Professor Weisbrot said Justice Kirby has definitive views on law reform and in Kirby’s own words said …
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