The ALRC on Twitter (@AusLawReform)
The ALRC established a presence on the information networking site, Twitter, in October 2009 (http://twitter.com/AusLawReform). The ALRC Web Manager regularly posts messages, known as ‘tweets’, about the ALRC’s work, inquiries and consultations. The Web Manager also monitors Twitter, to see who is ‘talking’ to or about the Commission, its inquiries or relevant topics in other …
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Read moreProgram 1.2 Community education about law reform
The objective of the ALRC’s community education activities is to improve the community’s understanding of, and participation in, law reform processes so that the proposals put to government for consideration are informed by community attitudes,debate and discussion. Table 7: Program 1.2 Deliverables 2009–10 Budget 2009–10 Achieved Online Discussion Forums 2 4 Reform journal—number of …
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Read moreProgram 1.1 Conducting inquiries into aspects of Australian laws and related processes for the purposes of law reform.
In conducting its inquiries the ALRC consults broadly with relevant stakeholders and experts interested in each area under review and researches and analyses the legal, social and administrative issues raised during the course of these consultations. As required by its Act, the ALRC also has regard to relevant international obligations; the potential impact of its …
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Read moreThe Relationship Between the Judiciary and Law Reform Bodies
Justice Susan Kenny, Federal Court of Australia, Part-time Commissioner, Australian Law Reform Commission, addressing the Australasian Law Reform Agencies Conference (ALRAC) in Brisbane.9 September 2010The relationship between the judiciary and law reform agencies has many dimensions. Even the assertion that there is a relationship provokes the questions—when? where? between whom specifically? Are we speaking about …
News/Media Release
Read moreRelationships with other law reformers — joint law reform projects
Professor Rosalind Croucher, President, Australian Law Reform Commission, addressing the Australasian Law Reform Agencies Conference (ALRAC) in Brisbane. 9 September 2010 I have been to Brisbane several times over the past two years, for consultations, conferences and the like. Each time I have been moved by the welcome to country. This morning’s welcome by Songwoman …
News/Media Release
Read moreThe Prospects for Reform in Australia
359. State and Territory Initiatives. In considering the prospects for reform it is important to have regard to recent developments in some Australian States and Territories towards ensuring greater legal protection for Aboriginal children, and reducing the undesirable impacts of official intervention in those cases where it may be necessary. In 1983 the Northern Territory …
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Read moreSpousal Compellability in the Law of Evidence
313. The Present Law. At common law a spouse of an accused person was, with certain exceptions (eg crimes of violence against the spouse) incompetent to give evidence for or against the accused, and was in any event not compellable as a witness even when competent.[122] This position has been changed by legislation in various …
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Read moreThe Recognition of Aboriginal Customary Laws and Human Rights Standards
179. Relevant Human Rights Instruments. Australia is party to a number of international human rights treaties which are relevant for present purposes. Four treaties should be briefly referred to.180. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966. Articles 1 and 27 have already been discussed. Other significant provisions of the Covenant include the following:the inherent …
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Read moreRequired or authorised by or under law
72.27 Sections 280(1)(b) and 297 of the Telecommunications Act provide that a primary or secondary use or disclosure of information or document is permitted if the use or disclosure is required or authorised by or under law. NPP 2, and the ‘Use and Disclosure’ principle in the model UPPs, provide for a similar exception.[31] ACMA …
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Read moreAgencies and organisations
62.45 Broadly speaking, Australian Government agencies are required to handle health information in accordance with the IPPs. Private sector organisations are required to handle health information in accordance with the NPPs. There are a number of significant exemptions in the Privacy Act, however, that mean that some agencies and organisations holding health information may not …
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