Australian Law Reform Commission

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) conducts inquiries into areas of law at the request of the Attorney-General of Australia. Based on its research and consultations throughout an inquiry, the ALRC makes recommendations to government so that government can make informed decisions about law reform. The ALRC is part of the Attorney-General's portfolio, however it is independent of government. The ALRC's objective is to make recommendations that: - bring the law into line with current conditions and needs - remove defects in the law - simplify the law - adopt new or more effective methods for administering the law and dispensing justice, and - provide improved access to justice. When conducting an inquiry, the ALRC also monitors other jurisdictions to ensure Australia compares favourably with international best practice. The ALRC aims to ensure that recommendations it makes do not trespass unduly on personal rights and liberties of citizens, or make those rights and liberties unduly dependent on administrative, rather than judicial, decisions and, as far as practicable, are consistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The ALRC must also have regard to any effect that its recommendations may have on the costs of access to, and dispensing of, justice.