Terms of Reference
I, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, Attorney-General of Australia, having regard to surrogacy providing Australians who are unable to give birth an opportunity to have a child; the medically, emotionally, financially and legally complex nature of surrogacy arrangements; the legislative responsibilities that states and territories have with regards to surrogacy laws, and current inconsistencies …
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Read moreTerms of Reference
Note: the Terms of Reference were amended on 3 November 2025 by the Commonwealth Attorney-General, extending the deadline. I, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, Attorney-General of Australia, having regard to: the operation of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (Native Title Act) and the future acts regime for over 30 years the passage of almost …
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Read moreFAQs: The Legislative Data Framework
Over the past few years, the ALRC used pioneering data collection and analysis to scrutinise corporations and financial services legislation. Using legislative data, the ALRC was able to show just how complex corporations and financial services legislation is. The ALRC also used that data when developing reforms. This article aims to answer some of the …
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Read moreALRC Welcomes Eminent Jurists to Lead Inquiry into Justice Responses to Sexual Violence
The ALRC has announced the two eminent jurists who will lead the inquiry into Justice Response to Sexual Violence.
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Read moreJustice System’s Response to Sexual Violence Inquiry Begins
The Australian Law Reform (ALRC) has begun its inquiry into the justice system’s response to sexual violence.
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Read moreTerms of Reference
I, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, Attorney-General of Australia, having regard to the Government’s commitment to strengthen and harmonise sexual assault and consent laws, refer to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) for inquiry and report, pursuant to subsection 20(1) of the Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 (Cth), an inquiry into justice responses …
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Read moreUser-friendly legislation: Why we need it, and how to achieve it
Modern smartphones are some of the most technologically sophisticated pieces of equipment ever invented. And yet, to operate one, you don’t need a PhD in computer science or years of experience. For the most part, their operations are intuitive and their functions easily navigable. If only the same could be said for all modern legislation.
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Read moreDataHub
Data as at 12 Dec 2022 The ALRC DataHub offers insights into the operation of the Australian legal system and includes the first comprehensive collection of data on all Commonwealth legislation. The DataHub currently covers: all as made Acts since 1901; all as made legislative instruments; a selection of Act compilations; a selection of legislative …
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Read moreFrequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Inquiry about? The ALRC was asked by the Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Christian Porter, to review the Commonwealth regime of corporate criminal responsibility – the detailed legal rules that determine when and in what circumstances a corporation may be found guilty of a crime. 2. What was the ALRC asked …
Inquiries
Read moreCOVID-19: Changes to ALRC operations
From Wednesday 25 March, the Australian Law Reform Commission will action enquiries by email only, due to the current status of COVID-19.
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