Australian Law Reform Commission

The Australian Law Reform Commission (often abbreviated to ALRC) is an Australian independent statutory body established to conduct reviews into the law of Australia and advocate options for law reform. The commission works with other law reform bodies such as the Administrative Review Council and the Family Law Council.

Background

The commission is the primary law reform agency for the Australian government. It was first established in 1975 as the Law Reform Commission under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (Comm). The first commission was abolished on the recommendation of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. That committee found that the act the commission was established under was outdated and that it should be updated in accordance with modern drafting styles. The report of the standing committee, was called “Law reform: the challenge continues” and was tabled in May 1994.

All office holders became office holders in the new commission named the Australian Law Reform Commission.

Constitution

The commission is established under the Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 (Comm). The commission consists of a president, a deputy president and at least four other members.

Members of the commission are appointed by the Australian Governor-General. A member has to be either:

• a judge an Australian superior court;
• a lawyer of at least five years experience;
• a graduate in law of university with experience as a member of academic staff of a university; or
• is, in the governor-general's opinion, suitable for appointment because of the person's special qualifications, training or experience.

See also

• New South Wales Law Reform Commission

References

• Second Reading Speech, Daryl Williams on 20 June 1996 - http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/dailys/dr200696.pdf
• Law Reform Commission Act 1973 - http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200402275?OpenDocument
• Australian Law Reform Commission
• Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 (Comm) http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/alrca1996348/index.html.