29.09.2017
Often through its inquiry work the ALRC has already conducted valuable research into areas of law or legal processes that become subject to review by other agencies or parliamentary committees. Where appropriate and relevant, the ALRC provides briefings or written submissions to parliamentary committees, Ministers, government departments, and other bodies. In this way, the experience and knowledge the ALRC develops during inquiries is shared for the benefit of the Australian community.
The ALRC is guided by a protocol that outlines when it is appropriate for the ALRC to give a briefing or to make an external submission. The considerations include:
the consonance of issues raised in the review or inquiry being undertaken by the external body with issues covered in current or past inquiry 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 the following submissions:
Submission to the Inquiry by the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee into the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 with reference to two previous ALRC Reports, For Your Information: Australian Privacy Law and Practice (ALRC Report 108, 2008) and Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws (ALRC Report 124, 2014)
Submission to the Inquiry by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights about Freedom of Speech in Australia with reference to the ALRC Report, Traditional Rights and Freedoms—Encroachments by Commonwealth Laws (ALRC Report 129, 2016)
Submission to the Inquiry by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services into Whistleblower Protections in the Corporate, Public and Not-for-Profit Sectors with reference to the ALRC Reports, Secrecy Laws and Open Government in Australia (ALRC Report 112, 2009), and Keeping Secrets: The Protection of Classified and Security Sensitive Information (ALRC Report 98, 2004)
Submission to the Inquiry by the Senate Economics Reference Committee into Consumer Protection in the Banking, Insurance and Financial Services Sectors with reference to the ALRC Reports, Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws—Improving Legal Frameworks (ALRC Report 117, 2012), Access All Ages—Older Workers and Commonwealth Laws (ALRC Report 120, 2013) and Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws (ALRC Report 124, 2014)
Submission to the Inquiry by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Legislation Committee into the Native Title Amendment (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) Bill 2017 [Provisions] with reference to the ALRC Report, Connection to Country: Review of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (ALRC Report 126, 2015)
Submission to the Inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs into a Better Family Law System to Support and Protect those Affected by Family Violence, referencing the ALRC and NSWLRC Report, Family Violence—A National Legal Response (ALRC Report 114, 2010)
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee of Privileges Inquiry into Parliamentary Privilege and the Use of Intrusive Powers, referencing the ALRC Report, Secrecy Laws and Open Government in Australia (ALRC Report 112, 2009)
Submission to the Department of Social Services on the NDIS Code of Conduct with reference to the ALRC Report, Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws (ALRC Report 124, 2014).