Media Releases

Third Quarter 2010

19 July 2010 - Proscription of terrorist organisations
The Australian Government has listed four groups as terrorist organisations under Australia's counter-terrorism laws.

15 July 2010 - Funding for community engagement police officers in the Northern Territory
The Australian and Northern Territory Governments today announced that the Commonwealth will provide $3.4 million for additional community engagement police officers in remote Northern Territory Indigenous communities.

15 July 2010 - Investing in legal services in the Northern Territory
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Federal Member for Solomon, Damian Hale today visited the Darwin Community Legal Service to announce additional funding for legal services in the Northern Territory.

14 July 2010 - Appointments to the Family Law Council
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the appointment of Associate Professor Helen Rhoades, Federal Magistrate Kevin Lapthorn, Dr Rae Kaspiew and Ms Alison Playford to the Family Law Council.

14 July 2010 - Appointment of Administrative Appeals Tribunal Registrar
Attorney General, Robert McClelland, today announced Mr Philip Kellow as the Registrar of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

13 July 2010 - Investment in advice for ACT homeless
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and ACT Attorney-General, Simon Corbell, today launched the Street Law outreach legal service for homeless people in the ACT.

13 July 2010 - Launch of Criminal Intelligence Fusion Centre
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, today launched the new Criminal Intelligence Fusion Centre within the Australian Crime Commission.

8 July 2010 - Appointment of Commonwealth Senior Counsel
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the appointment of Mr George Witynski as a Commonwealth Senior Counsel.

8 July 2010 - Launch of consumer survery on National Legal Profession Reform
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the release of a public survey which will allow consumers to provide input into the creation of a national legal profession.

6 July 2010 - Australia welcomes Malaysian People Smuggling Legislation
Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor and Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the introduction of new laws to the Malaysian Parliament to criminalise people smuggling.

6 July 2010 - New project to improve collaboration in the Family Law system
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today launched a new pilot project aimed at improving collaboration in the family law system.

6 July 2010 - Additional $150,000 for Youthlaw Victoria
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced an additional $150,000 in funding for Youthlaw Online, an important service providing young people in Victoria with greater access to legal advice.

3 July 2010 - Government releases Native Title Discussion Paper
The Australian Government today released a discussion paper for consultation on possible reforms to the native title agreement process.

2 July 2010 - National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the commencement of the new National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services.

2 July 2010 - All-hazards approach to disaster funding
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland has announced that the Australian Government will extend the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to include terrorist events as well as natural disasters.

Second Quarter 2010

30 June 2010 - Critical infrastructure resilience strategy
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today launched the Australian Government’s Critical Infrastructure Resilience Strategy.

30 June 2010 - Preparing kids for disasters and emergencies
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly, today launched new education materials to help school students better understand and prepare for natural disasters and emergencies.

29 June 2010 - Appointments to the Family Court of Australia
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the appointment of Judge Ann Ainslie-Wallace, Ms Margaret Cleary, Mr William Johnston and Mr Ian Loughnan as judges of the Family Court of Australia.

29 June 2010 - National consultation on disabilities convention report
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, today announced a national public consultation process on Australia’s first report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

29 June 2010 - New award to recognise Indigenous lawyers
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today invited nominations for the inaugural Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year Award.

28 June 2010 - Further support for International Pro Bono work
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced further measures to assist Australian legal practitioners undertaking international pro bono work.

28 June 2010 - $460,000 for legal and family services in North Queensland
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Federal Member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, today announced funding of over $460,000 for legal and family services in North Queensland.

24 June 2010 - Passage of legislation to reform personal bankruptcy
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage of legislation through the Parliament to reform Australia’s personal bankruptcy laws.

24 June 2010 - Legislation to enhance national security cooperation
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today introduced legislation to enhance cooperation, assistance and information sharing between Australia’s security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

24 June 2010 - Legislation to establish Military Court of Australia
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today introduced legislation to establish the new Military Court of Australia and reshape the current federal court system.

24 June 2010 - Legislation to strengthen anti-discrimination laws for families
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today introduced legislation to provide stronger discrimination protections for Australians with family responsibilities.

23 June 2010 - Inaugural NGO human rights forum
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, today hosted the inaugural Non-Government Organisations (NGO) Human Rights Forum.

19 June 2010 - Better managing Triple Zero calls
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced a key initiative to better manage the volume of Triple Zero emergency calls made during major natural disasters or emergencies.

17 June 2010 - Passage of legislation to reform international commercial arbitration
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage of legislation that will help establish Australia as an international centre for the resolution of international commercial disputes.

16 June 2010 - Legislation to Help Resolve Disputes Out of Court
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today introduced legislation to improve access to justice by requiring people to take genuine steps to resolve their legal disputes before going to court.

15 June 2010 - Visit to Australia by the Bar Council of India
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today met with a delegation from the Bar Council of India as part of efforts to improve links between the legal sectors of India and Australia.

15 June 2010 - Australia’s Framework for Law and Justice engagement with the Pacific
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith today launched Australia’s Framework for Law and Justice Engagement with the Pacific. 

12 June 2010 - New offences for International Criminal Court
The Australian Government today welcomed international agreement on measures that will allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try individuals for the crime of aggression. The Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court adopted the amendment at a two week meeting in Kampala, Uganda.

11 June 2010 - Rudd Government provides Illawarra with $350,000 search and rescue vehicle
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, together with the Federal Member for Cunningham, Sharon Bird, today handed over the keys to a new $350,000 search and rescue vehicle to be based at the Wollongong Fire Station.

8 June 2010 - New Protective Security Policy Framework
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today launched the Australian Government’s new Protective Security Policy Framework.

6 June 2010 - National cyber security awareness week
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy and Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today launched National Cyber Security Awareness Week 2010.

4 June 2010 - Commonwealth assistance for Lennox Head tornado victims
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to communities affected by the tornado and severe weather in Lennox Head, New South Wales.

3 June 2010 - Supporting stronger governance in Indigenous native title corporations
The Australian Government will shortly release a discussion paper to initiate a consultation process on mechanisms to build stronger governance regimes in Indigenous native title corporations.

2 June 2010 - Enhancing parliamentary scrutiny of human rights
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today introduced legislation as part of Australia’s Human Rights Framework to enhance parliamentary scrutiny of laws for consistency with our international human rights obligations.

28 May 2010 - $1.4 Million for native title anthropologists
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the Government will invest $1.4 million to attract more anthropologists into Native Title work.

28 May 2010 - Government initiates legal action against Japanese whaling
Australia will initiate legal action in the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Japanese ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean.

27 May 2010 - Reining in commonwealth legal expenditure
The Opposition’s claim that the Government is failing to produce end of year legal expenditure figures, before the financial year has actually ended, demonstrates they do not understand how the Budget works.

26 May 2010 - $3.6 Million for Emergency Management Projects
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the Government will invest $3.6 million to assist Australian communities respond to and recover from natural disasters and emergencies.

24 May 2010 - Establishment of the Military Court of Australia
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, today announced the Government’s decision to establish a new federal court, the Military Court of Australia, under Chapter III of the Australian Constitution.

21 May 2010 - Appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced twelve appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

21 May 2010 - Appointment of Administrative Review Council President
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the appointment of Colin Neave AM as President of the Administrative Review Council.

19 May 2010 - Broadcasters Train for Emergency Warnings
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today welcomed a meeting of Australian broadcast industry representatives and state and territory emergency management officials, designed to foster greater collaboration in broadcasting emergency warnings to the public.

18 May 2010 - Start of National Consultation on the Tax Treatment of Native Title
The Rudd Government has today commenced a national consultation on the tax treatment of native title, including the interaction of native title, Indigenous economic development and the tax system.

17 May 2010 - Federal Judicial Appointments Policy
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today formalised the Government’s policy for federal judicial appointments.

17 May 2010 - Improving Access to Justice
Attorney General, Robert McClelland, today outlined a package of measures to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of the justice system.

17 May 2010 - Legal Eagles Walk for Justice to Mark Law Week 2010
Key members of the legal profession will unite in Sydney today to raise awareness of the importance of providing free legal representation to disadvantaged members in the community.

16 May 2010 - Launch of New Access to Justice Website
Attorney General, Robert McClelland, today launched an innovative new website as part of a comprehensive package of measures to improve access to justice in the community.

14 May 2010 - Release of National Legal Profession Reform Consultation Package
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today released the National Legal Profession Reform draft Bill and accompanying materials for public consultation.

13 May 2010 - Passage of Legislation to Combat People Smuggling
The Australian Government today welcomed the passage of legislation to significantly strengthen Australia’s people smuggling laws.

11 May 2010 - Closing the Gap - Strengthening Indigenous Communities
The Rudd Government is building on its commitment to close the gap in life expectancy and life opportunities for Indigenous Australians through targeted investment to strengthen Indigenous communities.

11 May 2010 - Additional $154 Million for Legal Assistance Services
The Rudd Government will invest an additional $154 million over four years in legal assistance programs to improve access to justice in the community.

11 May 2010 - Additional $38.5 Million to Combat Organised Crime
The Government will invest an additional $38.5 million to combat organised crime in Australia, Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor announced today.

11 May 2010 - Countering Violent Extremism in our Community
The threat of violent extremism will be targeted by a $9.7 million package of measures announced by the Government.

11 May 2010 - Strengthening Australia's National Security Capacity
The Rudd Government will invest over $500 million to further strengthen Australia’s national security capacity.

10 May 2010 - Review of Discovery Laws to Improve Access to Justice
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the Government has requested the Australian Law Reform Commission to explore options to improve the discovery process in civil litigation to promote the early and proportionate exchange of information and evidence in court proceedings.

10 May 2010 - Appointments to the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the appointment of Mr Joseph Harman, Ms Leanne Turner, and Commissioner Dominica Whelan as Federal Magistrates.

7 May 2010 - Communiqué - Standing Committee of Attorneys-General
The first meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) for 2010 was held today in Melbourne.  The Commonwealth, State and Territory Attorneys-General were in attendance.

7 May 2010 - Electronic Transaction Laws to be Improved
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed agreement by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General to adopt nationally consistent laws with respect to electronic commerce. 

7 May 2010 - Agreement on New Model Commercial Arbitration Bill
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and New South Wales Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, today welcomed the decision by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General to adopt uniform national laws on domestic arbitration.

7 May 2010 - Model Provisions for Suppression Orders
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the endorsement by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General of model provisions for suppression and non-publication orders.

7 May 2010 - National Approach to Combating Cybercrime
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Victorian Attorney-General, Rob Hulls, today welcomed agreement by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General to a coordinated national approach to combat cybercrime.

7 May 2010 - Additional $13 Million for Legal Assistance Services
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the Australian Government will provide over $13 million in additional one-off funding for legal assistance programs across the country.

7 May 2010 - National Legal Profession Reform Consultation
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced consultation on the National Legal Profession Reform Project will commence on 14 May 2010.

6 May 2010 - Strengthening Discrimination Laws for Families
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland today announced the Government’s intention to provide stronger discrimination protections for Australians with family responsibilities.

6 May 2010 - Australia and Cambodia Reafirm Cooperation Against Transnational Crime
The Australian Government today welcomed the report of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee into the Anti-People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2010.

6 May 2010 - Government Welcomes Senate Committee Report on Legislation to Combat People Smuggling
The Australian Government today welcomed the report of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee into the Anti-People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2010.

5 May 2010 - Attorney-General Meets Japanese Minister for Public Safety and Disaster Protection
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today met with the Japanese Minister for National Public Safety Commission and Disaster Protection, Hiroshi Nakai, to discuss cooperation on law enforcement issues in the region.

4 May 2010 - Family Dispute Resolution Service for Gosnells
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Federal Member for Hasluck, Sharryn Jackson, today launched a new Family Dispute Resolution Service at the Gosnells Community Legal Centre.

4 May 2010 - Additional Legal Assistance Funding for Western Australia
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the Australian Government will provide over $1 million to support legal assistance services in regional and remote Western Australia.

4 May 2010 - $3 Million for Family Violence Prevention Services
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced additional one-off funding of $3 million for legal services that provide support and advice to victims of family violence across Australia.

3 May 2010 - 2010 National Bushfire Arson Forum
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, today announced new initiatives to combat deliberately lit fires as part of the second annual ‘National Forum for the Prevention of Bushfire Arson’.

1 May 2010 - International Decleration to Combat Organised Crime
Attorneys-General from the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia today agreed a joint Declaration to cooperate in combating international organised crime.

30 April 2010 - Australia to Accede to International Cybercrime Convention
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, today announced Australia’s intention to accede to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime.

29 April 2010 - Emergency Management Agreement with the United States of America
Australia and the United States of America have agreed to strengthen emergency management cooperation including during bushfires, major storms and other severe natural disasters, under a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today in Washington.

27 April 2010 - $2.8 Million for Family Pathways Networks
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced $2.8 million in additional funding for new and enhanced Family Pathways Networks across Australia.

27 April 2010 - International 'Quintet' Meeting of Attorneys-General
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, will today travel to Washington for the ‘Quintet’ meeting of Attorneys-General from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

21 April 2010 - Enhancing Human Rights Education
Minister for Education Julia Gillard and Attorney-General Robert McClelland today outlined a comprehensive suite of education initiatives to ensure all Australians have access to information about human rights.

21 April 2010 - Reaffirming our Commitment to International Human Rights Obligations
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith today reaffirmed the Government's commitment to its international human rights obligations as part of the launch of the Australia's Human Rights Framework.

21 April 2010 - Australia's Human Rights Framework
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today launched Australia's Human Rights Framework which outlines key measures to further protect and promote human rights in Australia.

21 April 2010 - Reform of Anti-Discrimination Legislation
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner today announced the Government’s intention to streamline federal anti-discrimination legislation into one single comprehensive law.

21 April 2010 - National Legal Profession Reform Bill
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, welcomed the presentation of draft legislation to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to achieve national regulation of the Australian legal profession.

1 April 2010 - Australia Welcomes Amnesty International Report on the Death Penalty
The Australian Government welcomes the release of Amnesty International's report Death Sentences and Executions in 2009.

First Quarter 2010

24 March 2010 - Further Storm Assistance for Western Australia
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today approved further assistance to Western Australia following the severe storms experience in Perth on 22 March 2010.

24 March 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance for Western Australian Storm Victims
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to Western Australian communities affected by the severe storms on 22 March 2010.

23 March 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance for New South Wales Flood Affected Communities
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to New South Wales communities affected by flooding in the State’s far north-west.

22 March 2010 - Additional Assistance for Queensland Flood Victims
The Australian Government today announced it would contribute $500,000 to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal Fund to assist the victims of the recent Queensland floods.

22 March 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance following Cyclone Ului
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will extend financial assistance to Queensland communities affected by Cyclone Ului.

18 March 2010 - Passage of Trans-Tasman Law Reform
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage of legislation to make trans-Tasman litigation simpler, cheaper and more efficient.

18 March 2010 - Simplification of Cross-Border Litigation
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that Australia had acceded to the Hague Convention on Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters 1965.

18 March 2010 - Australia to Establish Independent National Security Legislation Monitor
Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, today welcomed the passage of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Bill 2010.

18 March 2010 - Introduction of National Security Legislation
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today introduced legislation implementing a number of key changes to Australia's national security and counter-terrorism laws.

15 March 2010 - Disability Standards for Access to Premises
The Australian Government today launched the Disability Standards for Access to Premises, which for the first time set the minimum access requirements for people with a disability to publicly accessible buildings.

12 March 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance for Victorian Storm Victims
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to communities in Victoria affected by the severe storms on 6 and 7 March 2010.

11 March 2010 - Launch of New ASIO Website and Recruitment Campaign
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today launched the new Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) website and recruitment campaign for new Intelligence Officers.

11 March 2010 - Release of Report on Commonwealth Secrecy Laws
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today tabled the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) report ‘Secrecy Laws and Open Government in Australia’.

11 March 2010 - Passage of Legislation to Prohibit Torture and the Death Penalty
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage of legislation through Parliament which prohibits the use of torture and ensures that the death penalty cannot be reintroduced anywhere in Australia in the future

10 March 2010 - Emergency Management Cooperation with New Caledonia
Australia and French New Caledonia have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in preventing and responding to bushfires and other natural disasters, under a Letter of Intent signed today by the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland.

9 March 2010 - Flood Grants for Small Businesses and Primary Producers
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Premier Anna Bligh today announced joint Commonwealth-State funded grants to help small businesses and primary producers affected by recent flooding in Queensland.

9 March 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance for New South Wales Flood Affected Communities
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to communities affected by recent storms and flooding in New South Wales.

6 March 2010 - Tsunami Awareness Project
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) Director of Life Saving, Peter George, will today promote an innovative awareness program at Bondi Beach to help the general public and surf life savers better prepare and respond to tsunami warnings.

5 March 2010 - Commonwealth Extends Assistance for Queensland Flood Victims
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide additional financial assistance to Queensland communities affected by heavy rainfall and associated flooding.

5 March 2010 - Ethiopian Intercountry Adoption Program
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Ethiopia-Australia intercountry adoption program will resume on 6 April 2010.

3 March 2010 - Establishment of the Australian International Disputes Centre
Sydney is set to share in the booming market in commercial dispute resolution with the announcement today that the first dedicated international dispute resolution centre will be established in the CBD later this year.

3 March 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance for Queensland Flood Affected Communities
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to Queensland communities affected by recent flooding.

1 March 2010 - Appointment of new Australian Government Solicitor Chief Executive Officer
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the appointment of Mr Ian Govey as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS).

23 February 2010 - Legislation to Combat People Smuggling
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, and Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, today outlined the Government’s intention to introduce legislation to significantly strengthen Australia’s people smuggling laws.

23 February 2010 - Securing Australia, Protecting our Community
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, Attorney General, Robert McClelland and Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith today launched the 2010 Counter-Terrorism White Paper, Securing Australia, Protecting Our Community.

20 February 2010 - Statement on the Death Penalty
Successive Australian Governments have maintained a long-standing policy of opposition to the death penalty. The death penalty has been formally abolished by all jurisdictions in Australia.

19 February 2010 - Commonwealth and Victoria agree on Disaster Resilience Partnership
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, Bob Cameron, today announced a $7.8 million joint implementation plan for disaster resilience initiatives in Victoria.

18 February 2010 - Meeting of the International Pro Bono Advisory Group
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today chaired the third meeting of the International Pro Bono Advisory Group.

17 February 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance for New South Wales Flood Affected Communities
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to New South Wales communities affected by recent flooding in the south coast and far west.

15 February 2010 - Counter-Terrorism Trial Sentences
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today acknowledged the sentences imposed by the Supreme Court of New South Wales in the trial of five individuals convicted of terrorism offences.

9 February 2010 - Trial of Bushfire Fire Detection Cameras
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, Bob Cameron, and New South Wales Minister for Forest Resources, Ian Macdonald, today announced a comprehensive trial of bush fire detection cameras.

7 February 2010 - Anniversary of Black Saturday Bushfires
The Australian Government today joined with Victoria in marking the first anniversary of the devastating Black Saturday bushfires.

4 February 2010 - Release of Report into the Royal Commission Act
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today released the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) report, ‘Making Inquiries: A New Statutory Framework’.

4 February 2010 - Passage of Legislation to Combat Serious and Organised Crime
Attorney-General, Robert  McClelland, today welcomed the passage of legislation implementing reforms to  more effectively prevent, investigate and prosecute organised crime activity, and  target the proceeds of organised crime groups.

2 February 2010 - Passage of Legislation to Protect Computer Networks from Attack
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage through Parliament of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2009.

28 January 2010 - Commonwealth Assisstance for Flood Affected Queensland Communities
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to North Queensland communities impacted by recent heavy rain and flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclones Olga and Neville.

28 January 2010 - Release of Family Law Reviews
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today released key reports examining the operation of the family law system and how the family law courts deal with cases involving family violence.

12 January 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance for Flood Affected Communities in the Northern Territory
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Federal Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial support to the Northern Territory Government to assist with costs associated with helping communities impacted by recent flooding.

9 January 2010 - Appointments to the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced new appointments to the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC).

8 January 2010 - Commonwealth Assistance for Flood Affected Queensland Communities
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the Commonwealth Government will provide financial support to the Queensland Government to assist with costs associated with helping communities in Central and South West Queensland impacted by recent heavy rain and flooding.

8 January 2010 - Release of Commonwealth Legal Services Procurement Report
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today released a broad review into the procurement of Commonwealth legal services.

8 January 2010 - Border Protection Command Intercepts Vessel
Border Protection Command today successfully intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel.

6 January 2010 - Additional Funding for Family Law Legal Education Programs
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced additional funding of $360,000 for community legal centres to develop or expand partnerships with universities providing placement opportunities for students in family law.

4 January 2010 - Border Protection Command Intercepts Vessel
Border Protection Command yesterday successfully intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel.

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