Law Council welcomes new ministry
Law Council of Australia President Mr Tass Liveris says the national peak body is looking forward to working with the new federal government’s ministry, announced today.
Mr Liveris issued a particular welcome to incoming Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus QC,
“I warmly congratulate Mr Dreyfus on his appointment to the role of First Law Officer,” Mr Liveris said.
“The Attorney-General’s portfolio is a very important one and I know Mr Dreyfus appreciates the weight it carries, having occupied the office previously and been Shadow Attorney since 2013. For many years the Law Council has worked to ensure the national legal profession enjoys a respectful and open relationship with the office of the Attorney-General, and I am confident that will continue with Mr Dreyfus.
“The Law Council has long enjoyed a constructive and collaborative relationship with Mr Dreyfus and I look forward to working with him to promote the rule of law and administration of justice.”
Mr Liveris said the 47th parliament had ample opportunity for positive reform.
First Indigenous Supreme Court appointee
Mr Lincoln Crowley QC has made history with the announcment of his appointment to the Supreme Court of Queensland, which will make him the first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person appointed to a Supreme Court in Australia.
Mr Crowley has had a distinguished career specialising in criminal law, inquests and inquiries, and related civil proceedings and litigation. He has served as Crown Prosecutor for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and successfully prosecuted cases across a broad range of crime types including commercial crime and fraud, drug offences, money laundering, child pornography and environmental offences. He was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2018.
"Mr Crowley has demonstrated professional excellence and is highly deserving of this appointment," said Law Council of Australia President Mr Tass Liveris.
Vale Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE QC
The Law Council of Australia and the Australian Bar Association note with sadness the passing of the Hon. Sir Francis Gerard Brennan last night, aged 94.
Sir Gerard served with distinction as Australia’s tenth Chief Justice from 21 April 1995 to 21 May 1998. He was a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1981 to 1995, President of the Australian Bar Association from 1975–76 and a member of the executive of the Law Council of Australia from 1974–76. Appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1981, and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1988 in recognition of his service to the law, Sir Gerard was one of Australia’s most distinguished and respected jurists.
LCA President Tass Liveris said, “Sir Gerard made a remarkable contribution to the law and jurisprudence and his legacy will echo long into the future. Despite his formidable abilities, his unwavering reputation for decency and thoughtfulness provide a shining model to follow.”
Gaire Blunt Scholarship
Applications are now open for the Gaire Blunt scholarship.
The Gaire Blunt Scholarship is offered by the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (BLS) for papers on a topic in the field of competition law. First awarded in 2008, it commemorates Gaire Blunt, a leading competition law practitioner and a partner at Allen Allen & Hemsley (now Allens) from 1970 to 2005.
Applications can be made here
LCA Submissions
Recently published Law Council Submissions. ·
Review of sunsetting legislative instruments of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) - Attorney-General's Department
Positioning Australia as a Leader in Digital Economy Regulation - Automated Decision Making and AI Regulation. - Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia - Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee
Quality of Advice Review - Issues Paper – The Treasury
Sharing Economy Reporting Regime - Australian Taxation Office
[202207] User testing – Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets Register - Australian Taxation Office
Stage 2 Reform of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Section Submissions
Recently published Section Submissions.
- Consultation on proposed draft amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules Instrument 2007, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Business Law Section)
- Consultation on proposed guidance relating to source of funds and source of wealth, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Business Law Section)
- 2022 Foreign Investment Reforms – Discussion Paper, Consultation on proposed draft amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules Instrument 2007, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, (Business Law Section).
Inquiries and consultations
As of 3 June 2022.
Positioning Australia as a Leader in Digital Economy Regulation - Automated Decision Making and AI Regulation. - Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Proposed enhancements to the ASX Listing Rules: Continually improving the reputation and integrity of the ASX market.– ASX
Application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia - Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee
Corporate control transactions in Australia: options to improve schemes of arrangement, takeover bids, and the role of the Takeovers Panel – The Treasury
Quality of Advice Review - Issues Paper – The Treasury
Crypto asset secondary service providers: Licensing and custody requirements – The Treasury
Consultation on Australia’s National Data Security Action Plan - Department of Home Affairs
Sharing Economy Reporting Regime - Australian Taxation Office
[202207] User testing – Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets Register - Australian Taxation Office
Stage 2 Reform of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
News and Media
Upcoming Events
ADR Seminar 2022
15 June 2022
The Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section invites you to attend a seminar held by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. The event will be chaired by Mary Walker, Barrister, 9 Wentworth Chambers, Sydney NSW.
Consumer Rights Forum 2022
19 July 2022
The Legal Practice Section's Consumer Law Committee will be hosting another exciting ‘Consumer Rights Forum’ in Sydney and by webinar.
