18.10.2010
The ALRC provides briefings to parliamentary committees, ministers, government departments, and other bodies to ensure that its reports and recommendations are well understood and taken into account in legal policy development, and that the experience and knowledge developed during references are shared for the benefit of the Australian community.
The ALRC also makes written submissions where appropriate.
The ALRC is guided by a protocol that outlines when it is appropriate for the ALRC to make an external submission. The considerations include:
- the consonance of issues raised in the review or inquiry being undertaken by the external body and issues covered in current or past reference work of the ALRC;
- the consonance of issues raised in the review or inquiry being undertaken by the body and the expertise and knowledge of current Commissioners and staff members; and
- the availability of, and impact upon, ALRC resources.
Where appropriate, submissions are made available on the ALRC website. During the reporting period, the ALRC made seven written submissions drawing on past inquiries.
Table 16. Submissions made by the ALRC to Other Inquiries
| Agency Conducting Inquiry | Date of Submission | Subject Matter | Related ALRC Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Immigration and Citizenship | 4 Sep 2009 | Review of Personal Identifier Provisions in the Migration Act 1958—Preliminary Report | For Your Information: Australian Privacy Law and Practice (Report 108, 2008); Secrecy Laws and Open Government in Australia (Report 112, 2009) |
| Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs | 16 Oct 2009 | Inquiry into the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2009 | For Your Information: Australian Privacy Law and Practice (Report 108, 2008); Secrecy Laws and Open Government in Australia (Report 112, 2009) |
| Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration | 20 Jan 2010 | Inquiry into the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2009 (Cth) and the Information Commissioner Bill 2009 (Cth) | Open Government: A Review of the Federal Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Report 77, 1995); Federal Record: A Review of Archives Act 1983 (Report 85, 1998); For Your Information: Australian Privacy Law and Practice (Report 108, 2008); Secrecy Laws and Open Government in Australia (Report 112, 2009) |
| Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills | 9 Apr 2010 | Inquiry into the Future Direction and Role of the Scrutiny of Bills Committee | Managing Justice: A Review of the Federal Civil Justice System (Report 89, 1999); Equality Before the Law: Women’s Equality (Report 69 Part 2, 1994); Multiculturalism and the Law (Report 57, 1992) |
| Senate Standing Committee of Privileges | 15 Apr 2010 | Inquiry into the Tax Amendment (Confidentiality of Taxpayer Information) Bill 2009 (Cth) | Secrecy Laws and Open Government in Australia (Report 112, 2009) |
| Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs | 3 May 2010 | Inquiry into the provisions of the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 and Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Bill 2010 | Fighting Words: A Review of Sedition Laws in Australia (Report 104, 2006) |
| Corporate Legislation & Parliamentary Support Unit Corrective Services NSW | 25 Jun 2010 | Statutory Review of Compulsory Drug Treatment Program | Same Crime, Same Time—Sentencing of Federal Offenders (Report 103, 2006) |