Law Council President urges release of Dr. Yang Hengjun in UN General Debate
On 14 March 2024, Law Council President Greg McIntyre SC delivered a statement in the Item 3 General Debate expressing the Law Council’s concern for Chinese-Australian Dr Yang Hengjun, and urging his release.
Law Council Representatives Meet with Parliamentarians
In February and March 2024, representatives from the Law Council, including Mr Greg McIntyre SC (President), Dr James Popple (CEO), Mr Mark Fenlon (Co-Chair, Rural, Regional and Remote Committee) and members of the Policy Division, attended numerous meetings with Parliamentarians and their staff. The purpose of these meetings was to promote the Law Council’s Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt reduction and indexation relief policy for lawyers who live and work in RRR locations, in addition to discussing the Law Council’s October 2023 submission to the Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) and aspects of its January 2024 Pre-Budget submission.
Australia-United Kingdom Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue
On 5-6 March 2024, President Greg McIntyre SC represented the Law Council of Australia in the inaugural plenary meetings of the Australia-UK Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue (the Dialogue). The Dialogue is a mechanism established under the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement through which representatives of the legal sectors of Australia and the UK can come together to consider regulatory issues relevant to trade in legal services.
President of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association Visit
On 4 March 2024, the Law Council received a visit from the President of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association (CLA), Dr. Peter Maynard KC and former Law Council President and Honorary Life President of the CLA, Mr. Ron Heinrich AM. Law Council CEO Dr. James Popple and the Secretariat’s International Division met with President Maynard and Mr. Heinrich.
The CLA is an international organisation that exists to promote and maintain the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth. It participates in a wide range of activities including advocacy, research projects, and providing education and training to its members.
Engagement in the 55th United Nations Human Rights Council
On 1 March 2024, the Law Council co-sponsored a statement on Myanmar as part of the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The statement, which was delivered by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute before the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned the ongoing atrocity crimes committed by the military junta in Myanmar and urged the Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner to respond robustly to the ever-worsening situation in Myanmar. The Law Society of England and Wales and Lawyers for Lawyers also joined the statement.
Australia-Malaysia Institutional Strengthening Program visit
On 29 February 2024, upon the request of DFAT, the Law Council hosted a Malaysian delegation visiting Australia to learn about Australia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) framework.
The visit was organised as part of the Australia-Malaysia Institutional Strengthening Program that was established in late 2023 and aims to strengthen government transparency and integrity in Malaysia. The visiting delegation – consisting of members of the Malaysian Parliament, representatives of government departments and civil society organisations – will advise the Malaysian government on the introduction of FOI legislation as part of its reform agenda. Law Council CEO, Dr. James Popple delivered a presentation outlining Australia’s FOI system and responded to questions from the delegation.
Australian Energy Regulator seeking applications for commercial meditators of pipeline access disputes
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is inviting applications from qualified mediators, particularly those with experience in critical infrastructure or energy, to join its pool of mediators for resolving gas pipeline access disputes. The current composition of the pool can be found here.
Mediation is available to small shippers as a quicker and less costly alternative to other dispute resolution methods. Interested parties are asked to submit their CVs and fee schedules to Mr Cain Fleckhammer via email cain.fleckhammer@aer.gov.au by April 2, 2024. Mediators play a crucial role in facilitating resolutions; otherwise, disputes may be escalated to the AER or an arbitrator.
More information about mediation of gas pipeline access disputes, including the appointment of mediators, can be found in the AER’s Pipeline Access Dispute Guide, as well as Part 12 of the National Gas Rules.
Position Vacant - Senior Policy Lawyer | Human Rights
The Policy Division performs a critical role in a prestigious national peak organisation, coordinating strategic policy and advocacy for the legal profession on critical issues affecting access to justice, the administration of justice, regulatory policy, rule of law and human rights.
The Senior Policy Lawyer is responsible for preparing papers and submissions and managing projects on critical law reform and public policy issues, with a focus on human rights issues relating to climate change and the environment.
LCA Submissions
Recently published Law Council Submissions.
- Review of Division 3 of Part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (Cth), Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
- A new Aged Care Act: Exposure Draft – Consultation Paper No.2, Department of Health and Aged Care.
Inquiries and consultations
As of 12 March 2024.
- Public Consultation on Doxxing and Privacy Reforms, Attorney-General's Department.
- Buy Now Pay Later regulatory reforms, Treasury.
- Annual Superannuation Performance Test – design options, Treasury.
- Review of Australia's Credit Reporting Framework, Attorney-General's Department.
News and Media
Media releases/statement:
- Reserve citizenship deprivation only for most extraordinary of cases, 19 February 2024.
Key media articles:
- Boulevards of broken dreams', Law Institute Victoria, 3 March 2024.
- Apprenticeship over for new CEO, QLS Proctor, 6 March 2024.
- Lawyers call for uni debt cuts to fix bush shortages, Canberra Times, 9 March 2024.
- Brisbane's top divorce and family lawyers open up about the industry, Herald Sun, 12 March 2024.
- Brisbane's top divorce and family lawyers open up about the industry, Adelaide Now, 12 March 2024.
- Continued detention of terrorists debate resumes, Canberra Times, 14 March 2024.
