The Victorian Law Reform Commission:
The Victorian Law Reform Commission was established in 2001 as an independant, government funded organisation that was responsible for developing, monitoring and coordinating law reform.
The process undertaken by the VLRC is usually as follows:
The Victorian Law Reform Commission was established in 2001 as an independant, government funded organisation that was responsible for developing, monitoring and coordinating law reform.
The process undertaken by the VLRC is usually as follows:
- The VLRC receives a reference from the Attorney General to conduct research and investigation into a law. This usually arises due to a problem in the current legislation.
- The VLRC will then conduct initial research into the current legislation and find out how similar laws are introduced in other countries, why there are currently problems with the law and similar case studies. The VLRC will then publish a report of their findings.
- From then, they will invite submissions and consult with the community and other stakeholders relevant to the issue. These individuals or groups may including Legal Aid, Victoria Police, religious groups, doctors, counsellors and those within the community that have been directly affected. Round tables are held here and the community is invited to contribute their opinions and ideas regarding amendments in the law.
- From these discussions, consultations and round tables, the VLRC will publish a final report with recommendations that they have come up with arising from these discussions. Usually these reccommendations will involve a variety of options for amending the current law.
- From this report, the Attorney General tables a discussion in parliament to discuss the suggested reccommendations proposed by the VLRC. From here, parliament can decide whether they take on board these changes to amend legislation or leave the law as is.