Media releases
Second quarter 2012
17 May 2012 - Initial results of people smuggling convictions review
Three Indonesian nationals convicted of people smuggling, who claim they were minors at the time of their interception, will be released from prison and returned to Indonesia following a review of their cases completed by the Attorney-General’s Department.
14 May 2012 - Making Australia fairer in National Law Week
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today marked the start of National Law Week and said Australia is a fairer and more just society thanks to the Government’s busy reform agenda.
11 May 2012 - Terrorist organisation proscribed under criminal code
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today announced that Hizballah’s External Security Organisation (Hizballah ESO) has been re-listed as a terrorist organisation under Australia’s counter-terrorism laws.
9 May 2012 - Exercise hades 12 helps prepare us for the worst
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today welcomed a comprehensive Australian Government-funded emergency management exercise where multiple emergency services and government agencies respond to an incident on board a passenger plane.
8 May 2012 - Keeping your identity safe
Australian consumers will be better protected from identity fraud, with the private sector to have access to a new system to verify official documents.
8 May 2012 - Improving our Courts and Tribunals
Federal courts and tribunals will deliver more timely resolutions with greater efficiency under reforms announced today by the Gillard Government.
8 May 2012 - Keeping your identity safe
Australian consumers will be better protected from identity fraud, with the private sector to have access to a new system to verify official documents.
8 May 2012 - New Customs and Border Protection vessels
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Jason Clare today announced that the Federal Government would provide $33.3 million for the operation of two new vessels for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
8 May 2012 - New Forensic facility to provide the Australian Federal Police with better criminal intelligence
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Jason Clare today announced that the Federal Government would deliver a new purpose-built forensic facility for the Australian Federal Police.
4 May 2012 - Australia and United States working together on homeland security
The Australian and United States Governments today signed joint statements which will see increased intelligence sharing to combat transnational crime, including terrorism, and to make travel between Australia and the United States easier.
4 May 2012 - Community recovery underway in Wagga
The Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management, Nicola Roxon, today toured Wagga to see first-hand the recovery work underway following the severe flooding that hit the town earlier this year.
4 May 2012 - Public consultation for national security legislation reform
The Gillard Government today announced new plans to review national security legislation to ensure our national security capability can evolve to meet emerging threats, while also delivering the right checks and balances for a civil society.
4 May 2012 - Consultant for legal assistance review announced
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today announced the Allen Consulting Group will conduct a major, independent review of Australia’s Commonwealth-funded legal assistance services.
2 May 2012 - Review of convicted people smuggling crew queried to be minors
The Attorney-General’s Department will conduct a review of 24 cases of Indonesian nationals convicted of people smuggling, following concerns raised by the Australian Human Rights Commission that some individuals sentenced to Australian gaols may be minors.
2 May 2012 - Privacy laws set for reform
Australia’s privacy laws will be reformed to better protect people’s personal information, simplify credit reporting arrangements and give new enforcement powers to the Privacy Commissioner.
29 April 2012 - Gillard Government to establish National Children's Commissioner
The Gillard Government today announced the creation of a National Children’s Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission.
27 April 2012 - National Donating Guidelines to best help communities in need
Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Nicola Roxon and Emergency Services Minister Jennifer Rankine today launched guidelines to ensure that communities in need receive appropriate donations following a disaster.
27 April 2012- Support for consumers a phone call away
Information and support for consumers on insolvency and personal property securities services is just a phone call away, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said at the official opening of the national service centre in Adelaide today.
27 April 2012 - Direct flood assistance for New South Wales
Residents of the Central Darling and Forbes Local Government Areas in New South Wales who have been affected by recent flooding can claim payments of $1,000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
26 April 2012 - Legal costs of the Hon Peter Slipper MP
No specific request has been made to the Government to meet Mr Slipper’s legal costs in proceedings recently commenced.
24 April 2012 - Additional flood assistance for New South Wales
Additional assistance will be made available for flood-affected farms, businesses and communities in two New South Wales regions, Commonwealth Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher announced today.
21 April 2012 - Australia's Human Rights Framework is making our nation greater
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today acknowledged the second anniversary of the Australian Human Rights Framework.
19 April 2012 - New Zealand moves to introduce plain packaging of tobacco
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon welcomed the announcement by the New Zealand Government today that has agreed in principle to introduce plain packaging of tobacco subject to further consultation to be held later this year.
19 April 2012 - Appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today announced seven new part-time appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
16 April 2012 - Review of NBN compliance with FOI
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today announced a statutory review of the application of Freedom of Information to NBN Co., the company responsible for implementing the National Broadband Network.
12-13 April 2012 - Communiqué - Standing Council on Law and Justice
The first meeting of the Standing Council on Law and Justice (SCLJ) for 2012 was held on 12-13 April 2012 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The ACT Attorney-General chaired the meeting. The Commonwealth, State and Territory Attorneys-General, the Commonwealth Minister for Home Affairs and Justice and the New Zealand Minister of Justice were in attendance.
12 April 2012 - Additional flood assistance for Victoria
Additional assistance will be made available for flood-affected farms, businesses and communities in two Victorian communities, Commonwealth Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan announced today.
12 April 2012 - Additional flood assistance for New South Wales
Additional assistance will be made available for flood-affected farms, businesses and communities in four New South Wales communities, Commonwealth Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher announced today.
12 April 2012 - Appointment of president of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Federal Court Judge
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today announced the Governments intention to recommend to Her Excellency the Governor-General the appointment of two Federal Court of Australia judges, one of whom will serve as the President of the Administrative Appeal Tribunal.
12 April 2012 - More flood assistance for New South Wales and Victoria
Residents of Coolamon, Gundagai, Tumbarumba and Tumut in New South Wales, and Towong and Indigo in Victoria who have been severely affected by recent flooding can claim payments of $1,000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
10 April 2012 - Strengthening ties with Vietnam to combat crime in the region
The Federal Government welcomed the signing of an Extradition Treaty and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on legal cooperation in criminal matters with Vietnam that will boost anti-crime efforts in the region.
6 April 2012 - High Court submissions filed
The Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, announced the Commonwealth Government has now filed and served its submissions in the tobacco plain packaging matters currently before High Court.
5 April 2012 - Disaster assistance for the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay
Two Queensland communities impacted by sudden heavy rainfall on 22 March will receive disaster assistance under the jointly funded Commonwealth and Queensland Governments Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
5 April 2012 - Flood assistance for top end
Northern Territory communities impacted by heavy rains and flooding in February and March 2012 will receive disaster assistance under the jointly funded Commonwealth and Northern Territory Government Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
5 April 2012 - Australia Government floods assistance tops $17M
Thousands of flood-affected residents in southern NSW and Northern Victoria have received more than $17 million in total over the past two-and-a-half weeks to help them get back on their feet.
First quarter 2012
30 March 2012 - Copyright exceptions to be reviewed
Draft terms of reference for an Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) inquiry into the operation of copyright exceptions in the digital environment were released today for public comment.
28 March 2012 - Handball for Human Rights as footy season kicks off
Young footy fans are learning that playing fair on the field is just as important off the field through a new online game, ‘Handball for Human Rights’.
28 March 2012 - Improving safety in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities
Strengthened remote policing, community night patrols and legal assistance services are critical to continuing to improve safety and build stronger futures for Aboriginal people in remote Northern Territory communities.
27 March 2012 - More disaster assistance for New South Wales floods
Four more New South Wales communities impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding in February and March will receive disaster assistance under the jointly funded Commonwealth and Queensland Governments Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
26 March 2012 - More support for parents left behind by international child abduction
Australian parents dealing with the abduction of their child from Australia can access free legal assistance via a new national service which opened today.
26 March 2012 - People trafficking research paper released
Attorney General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice today released a research paper into people trafficking by the Australian Institutute of Criminology (AIC).
24 March 2012 - Disaster assistance for WA communities affected by cyclone Lua
Communities impacted by Tropical Cyclone Lua and associated flooding in Western Australia will receive disaster assistance under the jointly funded Commonwealth and Western Australian Government Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
24 March 2012 - Extra disaster assistance for Northern Queensland communities
Another seven northern Queensland communities impacted by recent heavy rainfall and flooding will receive disaster assistance under the jointly funded Commonwealth and Queensland Government Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
23 March 2012 - Walgett residents receive disaster assistance
Residents of Walgett who have been severely affected by recent flooding can claim Commonwealth payments of $1,000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
23 March 2012 - Wide net cast in search for two new High Court Justices
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon cast a wide net to start the search for two new High Court Justices today.
23 March 2012 - Contract law reform: Mind the fine print
Change is never easy, but when change has been proposed for more than 100 years and is still causing gripes across the country, you well and truly know that a difficult debate awaits.
22 March 2012 - De Facto property laws pass parliament
Laws to provide certainty to people who have orders of the federal family law courts in de facto property and maintenance matters passed Parliament today.
22 March 2012 - Preparing contract law for the future
The Australian Government has released a discussion paper to seek views on possible reforms to contract law to cut red tape for Australian businesses and to help them prosper in an increasingly globalised and digital economy.
22 March 2012 - Disaster assistance for flood affected New South Wales residents
Residents of Griffith, Leeton, Lockhart, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Urana, Wagga Wagga and Young who have been severely affected by recent flooding can claim Commonwealth payments of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
21 March 2012 - New laws strengthen Commonwealth law enforcement
The Australian Government today welcomed the passage of legislation which introduces a wide range of reforms to support the work of Commonwealth law enforcement officers.
21 March 2012 - Extra disaster assistance for New South Wales farms, businesses and communities
Additional assistance will be made available for flood-affected farms, businesses and communities in eight New South Wales communities, Commonwealth Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher announced today.
21 March 2012 - Disaster assistance for Northern and Far Northern Queensland
Communities impacted by recent heavy rainfall and flooding in northern Queensland will receive disaster assistance under the jointly funded Commonwealth and Queensland Governments Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
19 March 2012 - Independent National Security Legislation Monitor - tabling of first annual report
The Government tabled the first annual report of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, Mr Bret Walker SC, into the operation of Australia’s counter-terrorism and national security legislation in Parliament today.
19 March 2012 - More disaster assistance for New South Wales
The Commonwealth Government today announced natural disaster assistance will be extended to another three communities in New South Wales hit by heavy rain and flooding in March 2012.
19 March 2012 - Community to help combat corruption
Combating the corrosive global phenomenon that is corruption will be the focus of Australia’s first National Anti-Corruption Plan.
16 March 2012 - Disaster assistance for residents of Moira and Greater Shepparton
Residents of Greater Shepparton and Moira who have been severely affected by recent storms and flooding can claim Commonwealth Government payments of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
16 March 2012 - Release of final Queensland floods commission report
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today welcomed the release of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry’s Final Report.
15 March 2012 - Extra disaster assistance for New South Wales floods
The Commonwealth Government today announced natural disaster assistance will be extended to another three communities in New South Wales hit by heavy rain and flooding in March 2012.
15 March 2012 - New high-tech 'Bearcat' armoured rescue vehicles announced
Three high-tech ‘BearCat’ Armoured Rescue Vehicles from the United States have been ordered by the Commonwealth for delivery to New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.
14 March 2012 - Commonwealth first formal process for handling complaints against judges
Legislation to provide a clear, accountable and effective system for handing complaints against federal judicial officers was introduced into the Parliament today.
14 March 2012 - $1.2m extra support for victims of people trafficking
The Australian Red Cross will receive a $1.2 million boost to help victims of human trafficking, under the Australian Government’s Support for Trafficked People program.
13 March 2012 - Extra disaster assistance for New South Wales floods
The Commonwealth Government today announced natural disaster assistance will be extended to another seven communities in New South Wales hit by heavy rain and flooding in March 2012.
13 March 2012 - Promoting the experience and expertise of older Australians
An Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) review of Commonwealth legislation and policies that create barriers for older people participating in the workforce or other productive work has kicked off.
10 March 2012 - One step closer to ending Japanese whaling
The Australian Government received Japan’s written response to its Whaling Case in the International Court of Justice overnight.
9 March 2012 - Disaster Assistance for more New South Wales communities
The Commonwealth Government today announced natural disaster assistance will be extended to another seven communities in New South Wales hit by heavy rain and flooding in March 2012.
9 March 2012 - Additional funding for Victorian flood-affected communities
Additional support will be made available for flood-affected communities under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), Commonwealth Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan announced today.
9 March 2012 - Terrorist organisations proscribed under Criminal Code
Terrorist organisations Ansar al-Islam (AAI), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Jaish-e Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e Jhangvi (LeJ) have been re-listed as terrorist organisations under Australia's counter-terrorism laws.
9 March 2012 - The Australian Government welcomes the withdrawal of the Japanese whaling fleet
The Australian Government welcomes Japan’s decision to recall its whaling fleet from the Southern Ocean.
9 March 2012 - Standards for cyber security testing to be introduced
Australian businesses will have clear and agreed standards for cyber security testing with today’s announcement that an Australian branch of the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (CREST) has been established.
8 March 2012 - First stage of state and territory disaster insurance review welcomed
The Department of Finance and Deregulation today released a report completing the first stage of the review of state and territory insurance arrangements for state-owned assets, such as buildings, roads and bridges.
7 March 2012 - iPhones and iPads get kids ready 'Before the Storm'
‘Before the Storm’ a free, iPhone game that helps students and families better prepare for natural disasters, is now available at Apple-iTunes.
7 March 2012 - Preserving Australia's digital heritage
Blogs, e-magazines, interactive newspaper articles and more could soon be joining the archives of the National Library of Australia to keep them alive for future generations if proposals released today are implemented.
6 March 2012 - Flood assistance for New South Wales and Victoria
The Australian Government today announced additional flood recovery assistance for communities in New South Wales and Victoria affected by recent flooding.
6 March 2012 - NBN to bring more 'face-to-face' legal support to the bush
Better legal assistance is on the way for regional Australians as lawyers in the bush will soon come ‘face-to-face’ with their city counterparts through the National Broadband Network (NBN).
2 March 2012 - Applications open for Native Title Anthropologist Grants
Applications are now open for funding to support anthropologists interested in native title work
1 March 2012 - Australian Law Reform Commission Review of Classification released
Today the Gillard Government has tabled the Australian Law Reform Commission’s review of the National Classification Scheme.
1 March 2012 - Legal rights for Norfolk Islanders brought into line with mainland
Norfolk Islanders will now enjoy the same legal right to have Government administrative decisions such as those relating to social security and planning, reviewed in the same way as other Australians.
29 February 2012 - Government to provide certainty over de facto property court orders
The Australian government will be introducing a Bill in March 2012 to provide certainty to people who have orders of the federal family law courts in de facto property and maintenance matters
28 February 2012 - Gillard Government moves to ratify (OPCAT)
The Gillard Government today tabled a National Interest Analysis that proposes Australia ratify the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT)
28 February 2012 - Laws Strengthened In The Fight Against Nuclear Terrorism
Laws to strengthen the fight against nuclear terrorism, including penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment for the misuse of radioactive material and nuclear facilities, have now passed Parliament.
25 February 2012 - Japanese whaling vessels nearing Macquarie Island
The Australian Government is aware of reports that Japanese whaling vessels are in the vicinity of our exclusive economic zone near Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean.
10 February 2012 - Reports highlights risks of money laundering and terrorism financing
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason Clare today released three reports highlighting the risks to Australian business and non-profit organisations of money laundering and terrorism funding.
10 February 2012 - Acknowledging the work of President Branson
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today thanked the Hon Catherine Branson QC for her service as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission following her decision to step down at the end of July this year for personal reasons.
10 February 2012 - Australia’s first Indigenous Federal Magistrate welcomed
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon congratulates Federal Magistrate Matthew Myers, who will be welcomed to the Federal Magistrates Court today in a special sitting of the court.
10 February 2012 - Applications open for Building Resilient Communities Grants
Community organisations are being encouraged to apply for a new round of the Building Community Resilience Grants program that opened today to strengthen resilience in Australian communities against violent extremism.
9 February 2012 - Welcome ceremony for Federal Magistrate Ronald Curtain
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon extends her best wishes to the newly appointed Federal Magistrate Ronald Curtain, who will be welcomed to the Federal Magistrates Court today in a special sitting of the court.
8 February 2012 - ALRC spotlight on age discrimination in the workforce
The Hon Susan Ryan AO will shine a spotlight on age discrimination as part of an Australian Law Reform Commission review of Commonwealth legislation and policies that create barriers for older people participating in the workforce or other productive work.
8 February 2012 - Whole-of-government focus on family violence - ALRC report launched
Protecting the safety of Australians experiencing family violence is the driving force behind a report released today on the treatment of family violence in laws relating to child support and family assistance; immigration; employment; social security; and superannuation.
8 February 2012 - Professor McKeough to conduct ALRC copyright review
University of Technology Sydney Dean of Law, Professor Jill McKeough will lead an Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) review into the operation of copyright in the digital environment.
8 February 2012 - High Court defence filed
The Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, announced the Commonwealth Government has now filed and served its initial formal response to tobacco companies’ statements of claim in the High Court.
7 February 2012 - Cyber crime reminder for small business
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason Clare are today reminding small businesses and their customers to be vigilant in protecting themselves against cyber crime.
3 February 2012 - Play your part in protecting our national security
Hairdressers, farmers, cleaners, gardeners, pharmacists, mums, dads and students can all help to keep Australia safe by putting forward ideas about how to reduce the potential for everyday, household chemicals to be used in terrorist attacks.
31 January 2012 - Revitalisation of Sydney’s landmark Law Courts continues to progress
The newly refurbished lobby of Sydney’s Queens Square Law Courts building was officially opened today by Commonwealth Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice Greg Smith.
30 January 2012 - Review of legal assistance services
Australia’s Commonwealth-funded legal services are set to be reviewed to ensure they are delivering the most cost-effective legal assistance services to those most in need, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon announced today.
27 January 2012 - Certificates of No Impediment to marriage for same-sex couples
Australians seeking to enter into a same-sex marriage overseas will be able to apply for a Certificate of No Impediment to marriage for the first time from 1 February 2012.
16 January 2012 - Australian protestors safely returned to Australian mainland
The three Australian protestors who boarded the Japanese vessel Shonan Maru No. 2 are now back on Australia soil, after being retrieved by the ACV Ocean Protector.
13 January 2012 - Media Statement - Australian protestors safely transferred to ACV Ocean Protector
The three Australian protestors on the Japanese vessel Shonan Maru No. 2 were successfully transferred to the ACV Ocean Protector this afternoon and will be brought back to Australia.
6 January 2012 - Is your new purchase really all yours? New National Personal Property Securities Register to commence 30 January
A new national register for personal property securities will soon better help Australian consumers and businesses ensure the property they buy doesn’t have a security interest over it.
4 January 2012 - Human Rights check for new laws
Human rights will be bought into sharper focus in the Parliament this year with all new laws to be checked to see if they stack up against human rights obligations.
Fourth quarter 2011
22 December 2011 - Government responds to Phillip Morris trade claim
The document served yesterday by the Australian Government in response to Phillip Morris Asia’s trade challenge under the Australia - Hong Kong investment treaty revealed that Phillip Morris Australia has engaged in 'corporate restructuring' in an attempt to challenge the Government’s Plain Packaging Legislation.
19 December 2011 - Gawler Ranges native title determination welcomed
The rights of the Gawler Ranges people to live on their land and maintain their cultural traditions were cemented today with the Federal Court’s recognition of the Gawler Ranges native title rights.