Government Moving In The Right Direction On Federal Judicial Commission
The Law Council of Australia has long advocated for the establishment of a standalone Federal Judicial Commission and considers the government is moving in the right direction by seeking independent legal advice on its establishment. Law Council President, Dr Jacoba Brasch QC, said a Federal Judicial Commission needs to be at arm’s length from the executive government, to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers. Read more.
Passage of flawed merger bill tasks family law judges with an impossible task
The Government’s Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2019 passed both Houses on 18 February 2021, after gaining support from independent Senator Rex Patrick and One Nation. Read more.
Concern regarding expedited passage of two acts In Fiji
The South Pacific Lawyers’ Association has released a statement following the passage of the High Court (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act 2021 in Fiji by expedited legislative process. This statement was released in response to a request for assistance from Fiji Law Society, and was drafted in collaboration with South Pacific counterpart jurisdictions. Read more.
Bannerman Competition Lecture 2021
On 9 February 2021, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) in conjunction with the Business Law Section (BLS) hosted the annual Bannerman Competition Lecture in honour of the contribution to competition law and regulation by the late Ron Bannerman AO. Read more.
ABA podcast on sexual harassment
The Australian Bar Association (ABA) released a podcast episode on sexual harassment in the legal profession. ABA President Matthew Howard SC speaks with the Hon. Kenneth Hayne AC QC and Kate Eastman SC. Listen here.
Recently published Law Council Submissions.
Recently published Section Submissions.
Inquiries and consultations
As of 16 February 2021. - Managing Travel across the Australian Border during COVID-19, Australian National Audit Office.
- Occupational Mobility, Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet.
- Commonwealth Integrity Commission consultation draft, Attorney-General's Department.
- Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020 and Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2020 – Questions on Notice, Parliamentary House Standing Committee on Environment and Energy.
- Review of the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 and Statutory Review of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
- Migration and Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Information Provisions) Bill 2020, Parliamentary Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
- Review of the Intelligence Oversight and Other Legislation Amendment (Integrity Measures) Bill 2020, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
- Review of the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
- Modernising Business Communications, The Treasury.
- Increasing the Statutory
Demand Threshold, The Treasury.
- CP 337 Externally administered companies: Extending financial reporting and AGM relief, Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
- Data Availability and Transparency Bill 2020 [Provisions] and Data Availability and Transparency (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020 [Provisions], Parliamentary Senate Standing Committees on Finance and Public Administration.
- National Emergency Declaration Act 2020, Parliamentary Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
- Indigenous Voice Co-Design Process, National Indigenous Australians Agency.
- Australia's skilled migration program, Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Migration.
- Review of Judicial Impartiality, Australian Law Reform Commission.
- Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Royal Commission.
- Review into the Framework of Religious Exemptions in Anti-discrimination Legislation, Australian Law Reform Commission.
- Review of the Legislative Framework for Corporations
and Financial Services Regulation, Australian Law Reform Commission.
Media releases and statements: Key coverage:‘ - Family law fees targeted for reform, The Australian, 19 February 2021.
- Family Court merger with Federal Circuit Court meets mixed reviews, ABC online, 18 February 2021.
- Merger done, Porter must detail how he will help forlorn families, The Australian, 18 February 2021.
- Parliament under scrutiny in the wake of sexual assault allegations, ABC online, 18 February 2021.
- Family Court merger set to be approved, Sydney Morning Herald, 17 February 2021.
- 157 sign letter opposing controversial Family Court merger, Lawyers Weekly, 16 February 2021.
- Proposed Federal Judicial Commission ‘moving in the right direction', Lawyers Weekly, 15 February 2021.
- Men dominate Federal Court appointments under Porter, Australian Financial Review, 15 February 2021.
- 'Get on with' bringing bad judges to heel, Christian Porter told, The Australian, 12 February 2021.
- Re-thinking advocacy post-pandemic, Lawyers Weekly, 12 February 2021.
February 2021 - 18 February to 11 March 2021 - Constitutional and Rule of Law Webinar Series
Host: Jointly organised by LAWASIA, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Law Council of Australia and the South Pacific Lawyers Association
Time: 4.30pm - 6.00pm AEDT
Location: Online
March 2021 - 15-16 March 2021 - 2021 Immigration Law Conference
Host: Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section
Time: 10.00am ‐ 3.00pm AEDT (both days)
Location: Online
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