Past Inquiries

07.06.2013

Native Title Act 1993

The first major review of the law governing ‘connection’ in native title claims since the introduction of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). The Inquiry also examined authorisation of persons bringing claims and joinder of parties to a claim.

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07.06.2013

Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws

This inquiry considered whether Commonwealth laws and legal frameworks create barriers to people with disability exercising their rights and legal capacity.  

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30.05.2012

Copyright and the digital economy

The ALRC considered whether exceptions and statutory licences in the Copyright Act 1968 are adequate and appropriate in the digital environment and whether further exceptions should be recommended.

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08.02.2012

Age barriers to work

The ALRC was asked to identify legal barriers to mature age persons participating in the workforce in Commonwealth laws, including: social security, superannuation, insurance, compensation and employment.

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11.01.2011

National Classification Scheme Review

The ALRC was asked to conduct a review of classification in Australia in light of changes in technology, media convergence and the global availability of media content.

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19.08.2010

Family violence and Commonwealth laws

This Inquiry looked at the treatment of family/domestic violence in Commonwealth laws, including child support and family assistance law, immigration law, employment law, social security law, superannuation law and privacy provisions in relation to those experiencing family/domestic violence.

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29.06.2010

Discovery of documents in Federal Courts

The ALRC explored options to improve the discovery process in civil litigation to promote the early and proportionate exchange of information and evidence in court proceedings.

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19.06.2010

Family violence

This Inquiry looked at the complex interaction between state and territory family and domestic violence and child protection laws and the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The ALRC was to consider what, if any, improvements could be made to relevant legal frameworks to protect the safety of women and children.

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10.02.2010

Royal Commissions and official inquiries

The ALRC considered a number of matters including whether there was any need to develop an alternative form or forms of Commonwealth executive inquiry, with statutory foundations, to provide more flexibility, less formality and greater cost-effectiveness than a Royal Commission.

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25.12.2009

Secrecy laws and open government

Secrecy laws that impose obligations of confidentiality on individuals handling government information—and the prosecution of public servants for the unauthorised disclosure of such information—can sit uneasily with the Australian Government’s commitment to open and accountable government. Secrecy laws have also drawn sustained criticism on the basis that they unreasonably interfere with the right to freedom

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