The ACT Government is seeking views on the development of a family violence death review process for the ACT. A  family violence death review scheme will analyse information relating to specific family violence deaths in the ACT and make recommendations for system-wide improvements to services to help prevent similar deaths occurring in the future. Specific feedback is sought for to two draft family violence death review models, which focus on:

• the composition and functions of a family violence death review team;
• location of a team and timing of data collection, types of cases and deaths reviewed, use of a

The ACT Government is seeking views on changes to ACT laws to give effect to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Reform concerning criminal law reform. 

The ACT Government is committed to ensuring that the lessons and evidence developed by the Royal Commission are put into action in the Territory. Criminal Justice reform will be focused on ensuring that our criminal laws and procedures afford a fair trial to survivors of sexual abuse, witnesses who participate in the court process, and to people accused.

The Royal Commission’s thorough examination of how survivors recount the trauma…

Terms of Reference

On 15 February 2011 Attorney-General Simon Corbell MLA asked the ACT Law Reform Advisory Council (LRAC) to broadly inquire into the scope and operation of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT). 

The Council commenced this inquiry in February 2012. 

On 19 February 2014, the Attorney-General extended the terms of reference to consider and propose principles that could underpin complaint and enforcement mechanisms to promote the effectiveness of the Discrimination Act.

Final Report

ACT Law Reform Advisory Council, Review of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT) Final Report [PDF 1.2 MB], Review of the Discrimination Act 1991 …

LRAC Inquiry into the terms and operation of the Guardianship and Management of Property Act 1991

Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference [PDF 325KB]

In August 2014, the ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell MLA asked the ACT Law Reform Advisory Council (LRAC) to undertake an inquiry into the terms and operation of the Guardianship and Management of Property Act 1991, to ensure that the Act reflects best practice in guardianship law relating to adults.

LRAC commenced this inquiry in 2014 and the final report was provided to the Attorney-General on 29 July…

The Needle and Syringe Program Working Group has been established to develop model(s) for a needle and syringe program to operate in an Australian Capital Territory (ACT) correctional facility to be voted upon by 'Eligible Employees' (as per the Deed of Agreement between the Territory and the Community and Public Sector Union) in a ballot.

1.  Terms of Reference and Operating Procedures [PDF 358KB]

2.  Deed of Agreement [PDF 437KB]

3.  Media Release - Progress on Corrective Services EBA

4.  Media Release - Government and Union Working Group progressing NSP model [PDF…

The Justice and Community Safety Directorate is conducting a review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. The main purpose of the review is to ensure that the Act is operating effectively and that it continues to provide a fair balance between the rights of tenants and landlords.

The terms of reference address issues under four broad areas:

Fairness

- whether the Act maintains an appropriate balance between the rights of tenants and lessors

Sustainability

- the likely effects of mandating or providing incentives to lessors or tenants retrofitting sustainability measures
- whether the Act requires amending to remove any…

The Justice and Community Safety Directorate is consulting on the recommendations of the ‘Review of ACT Civil Surveillance Regulation Report’ - an independent review report into the regulatory framework for non-government surveillance in the ACT. The Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs announced the independent review on 5 May 2016.

The review report makes ten recommendations for improving the regulation of surveillance in the ACT including generally prohibiting surveillance by any device unless for the purpose of protecting an individual’s lawful interests or for a purpose in the public interest.

Review of ACT Civil Surveillance Regulation Report [PDF 293KB]

The…

The Attorney-General Simon Corbell MLA has released a Discussion Paper to provide the community and stakeholders with an opportunity to consider and provide input on the potential introduction of consorting laws for the ACT to target serious and organised criminal activity.

On 5 June 2015, the Chief Minister Mr Andrew Barr MLA outlined the government’s strategic priorities for 2015‑16, including ‘Enhancing liveability & social inclusion’. Under this priority the government has committed to ‘[t]ackling Organised Crime’ which includes ‘implement[ing] new laws to combat organised criminal groups, including outlaw motorcycle clubs’.

This priority is consistent with the ACT Government’s ongoing approach…

The report on the review of the Retirement Villages Act 2012 is now available. The review of the Act has indicated that retirement village legislation is generally operating effectively. Stakeholders have responded well to the transition from the former Code to the Act. The review also identified some room for improvement, which are discussed in the report. The Government is committed to ensuring the Act operates effectively and continues to meet the needs of operators and residents alike.  JACS would like to thank the Review Advisory Group for their time and invaluable contribution to the review of the Act. JACS…

The Attorney-General, Simon Corbell MLA, has released an Issues Paper [PDF 1.3 MB] to provide the community and stakeholders with an opportunity to consider and provide views on proposals for further reform to reduce the incidence of alcohol-related harms.

Specifically, the Issues Paper discusses the following measures:

• limiting the physical availability of alcohol through reduced trading hours and liquor outlet density restrictions;
• limiting the economic availability of alcohol through taxation and pricing policies; and
• reducing exposure to alcohol through the regulation of advertising and promotions.  

The Issues Paper discusses each of these measures and raises a number of issues…