NSW Government Bulletin: In the media, in practice and courts, published articles, papers and reports, cases and legislation.

In the media Parliament backs farmers with Criminal Code Amendment Bill set to become law The Australian Senate passed the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill, meaning tough new penalties for those who incite trespass, property damage or theft on agricultural land will soon become law. The Attorney General statement here (12 September 2019). More...

Decision-making: a right not a privilege for people with disability A new interactive e-learning tool is available to promote greater understanding of a person's right to make decisions and how to empower people to be in control of their lives and make their own judgment calls (10 September 2019). More...

ACMA issues $88,200 in infringement notices under NBN rules The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued its first infringement notices under rules designed to ensure telcos provide consumers with adequate information about their National Broadband Network (NBN) services (06 September 2019). More...

HRLC: Solitary confinement must be banned, says Ombudsman Solitary confinement is an archaic way of treating people and is now known to inflict long term and irreversible harm. Today, in a damning report, the Victorian Ombudsman has called on the Andrews Government to prohibit in law the use of solitary confinement (05 September 2019). More...

Child sex offenders to face mandatory sentences under Coalition crackdown Paedophiles would face mandatory jail sentences and the most serious offenders could be jailed for life under sweeping changes to Federal sentencing laws to be introduced to Parliament next week (03 September 2019). More...

LCA: Parliament should not interfere with judicial discretion The Law Council in principle opposes mandatory sentences as there are risks this may produce injustice in some circumstances. Mandatory sentencing risks triggering unintended consequences that are at odds with the intention of the laws and fundamental principles which underpin the administration of justice (03 September 2019). More...

New family responsibilities commissioner appointed Trailblazing Indigenous and human rights advocate Tammy Williams has been appointed in the role of Family Responsibilities Commissioner (01 September 2019). More...

In practice and courts LSC: Call for submissions - Managed Investment Scheme Review of Uniform General Rules The Legal Services Council has commenced its review of the Managed Investment Scheme Uniform General Rules 91A-91D and is seeking submissions from interested parties until 3 October 2019. You can find more information here. Click here for the terms of reference (03 September 2019).

Protocol for the Bar Associations of Australia to raise any concern about Judicial conduct in Commonwealth courts The Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, the Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and the Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia have agreed with the President of the Australian Bar Association (10 September 2019). More...

Senate Inquiries - September 2019

Community Affairs Legislation committee Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019 Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019

Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation committee Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2019 [Provisions] The impact of changes to service delivery models on the administration and running of Government programs Nationhood, national identity and democracy The Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committees has been referred the above inquiry, due to report by May 2020. The Discussion paper is available here (11 September 2019). More...

Reminder: Practice directions - High Court of Australia, No 1 of 2019 Reminder: This Practice Direction takes effect in relation to matters set down for hearing after 1 October 2019. In consultation with the respondent and any interveners, the appellant must prepare a joint book of the authorities which reference will be made during the course of oral argument at the hearing of the appeal. More...

Draft Religious Freedom Bill The Australian Government invites submissions on a package of legislative reforms on religious freedom. These are the: Religious Discrimination Bill 2019; Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019 and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Freedom of Religion) Bill 2019. The draft Bills are available on the Attorney-General's Department website. Submissions on the Bills close on 2 October 2019

OAIC Guide to privacy regulatory action Guide to privacy regulatory action has been updated to provide greater clarity about matters considered by the Commissioner regarding enforceable undertakings and independent experts. The update follows a review of similar policies and enforceable undertakings in relation to other regulatory areas within the Commonwealth (28 August 219). More...

ANAO Performance audit in-progress: Defence's management of its public communications and media activities Due to table: December, 2019: The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Department of Defence's (Defence's) management of its public communications and media activities...