AGENCIES OF REFORM
Law Reform Commissions
Law reform commissions are accepted by some parliaments within their jurisdictions to announce matters referred to them under the 'terms of reference' for a certain inquiry. This could include certain recommendations for methods to modernise or ease a law. Law reform commissions must ensure that they are independent of a parliament. This is essential as political interference in research and reporting can alter the findings. It has been said that if a government supplies the terms of reference for an inquiry into an area of law reform, the government should not know what the end result will be.
THE AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION
The Australian Law Reform Commission ( ALRC) was brought up in 1975 and is controlled under the Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 and is an independent statutory body. The ALRC's main role is to evaluate Commonwealth laws which are relevant to matters assigned to them by the Attorney- General. They conduct inquiries into areas of law reforms in relevant areas and advise the government to make changes of a law if needed to meet needs of society. The ALRC also work on Harmonisation of Commonwealth, State and Territory laws. The ALRC make sure that laws, proposals and recommendations are not inflicting on personal rights. In the event of an inquiry, the ALRC undergo a process of research and consultation. They will make recommendations to the Attorney-General, who will then pass it on to the federal government. The federal government will then either accept or ignore the report. The ALRC are currently
The aim of the Australian Law Reform Commission is to ensure that proposals and reccommendations do not trespass unduly on personal rights and liberties of citizens. Its objective is to make recommendations for law reform that simplify the law.
The aim of the Australian Law Reform Commission is to ensure that proposals and reccommendations do not trespass unduly on personal rights and liberties of citizens. Its objective is to make recommendations for law reform that simplify the law.
NSW LAW REFORM COMMISSION
The NSW Law Reform Commission was established through the Law Reform Commission Act 1967. It was the first type of commission in Australia and has a similar role to the ALRC ( Australian Law Reform Commission). The difference is that the NSW Law Reform Commission is at a state level, where as the ALRC is at a national level. Its role is to consolidate overlapping legislations, to simplify the law.
The NSW Law Reform Commission is currently working on projects, to better the law reform. Four current projects include
- Criminal Appeals
- Encouraging appropriate early guilty pleas
- Parole
- Statutory provisions on dispute resolution.
- Criminal Appeals
- Encouraging appropriate early guilty pleas
- Parole
- Statutory provisions on dispute resolution.
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
Parliamentary committees are established from both houses of parliament. Committees examine government activity, policy and administrative decisions, and supervise the disbursement of public money. A vote is taken to give something to committee. A committee might involve either senators or members of the House of Representatives. In a 'joint committee' the committee will involve both Members of the House of Representatives and Senators. Standing Committees inquire into matters referred to them by either the Senate or House of Representatives to issues allocated to them. Select committees are appointed for a once only task. A committee will be asked to undertake an inquiry and the committee will hear witnesses, examine evidence and formulate conclusions.
COURTS
Courts can shape the law and reform it. The role of a court is to interpret laws which have been made by parliament. The rules of common law allow judges to reform the law with setting new precedents in cases. Most cases are bound by set sentences and procedures which interfere with the judges ability to make laws. A precedent is a manner in which courts make a law. They are made in higher courts and clarify what law should be.
PARLIAMENTS
The process of changing a law occurs through parliaments, through the passage of bills. Parliament is the place where proposed laws are debated, which can be an intense process if the proposed law issue is controversial. Bills can be passed in various ways such as which party or parties hold 'balance of power' in the Senate for the Federal government or the Legislative council for state governments. A major law reform will be carried out by parliament as it is a main mechanism of law reform.
Red Cross
Red cross's Mission Statement is all about mobilising the power of humanity. Red cross has many principles of its organisation.
HUMANITY
IMPARTIALITY
NEUTRALITY
INDEPENDENCE
VOLUNTARY SERVICE
UNITY
UNIVERSALITY
HUMANITY
IMPARTIALITY
NEUTRALITY
INDEPENDENCE
VOLUNTARY SERVICE
UNITY
UNIVERSALITY