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QLDLegal StudiesQuick questions
Unit 3: Law, governance and change
Quick questions on Influences on law reform: Law Reform Commissions and royal commissions: QCE Legal Studies
8short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is law Reform Commissions?Show answer
Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC). Established under the Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 (Cth) (replacing the 1973 Act). The ALRC takes references from the Commonwealth Attorney-General, conducts public consultation, publishes issues papers and discussion papers, and delivers a final report with recommendations.
What is royal commissions?Show answer
Royal commissions are commissions of inquiry established under the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) (federal) or the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950 (Qld) (Queensland). They have coercive powers: they can compel witnesses to give evidence, summon documents, and (in some circumstances) execute search warrants. They are usually established in response to a particular crisis or scandal.
What is parliamentary committees?Show answer
Parliamentary committees scrutinise legislation, review the operation of laws, and recommend reform. Examples:
What is media and individuals?Show answer
Media reporting shapes the policy agenda and informs public opinion. Investigative journalism has triggered multiple reform processes:
What is non-governmental organisations?Show answer
Specialist NGOs and peak bodies often draft legislation, conduct research, and lobby. Examples in the legal sector:
What is implementation?Show answer
Recommendations of Law Reform Commissions and royal commissions do not automatically become law. The relevant Parliament must legislate. The political will to implement reform recommendations is variable. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1991) made 339 recommendations; many remain only partially implemented decades later.
What is australian Law Reform Commission?Show answer
Established under the Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 (Cth) (replacing the 1973 Act). The ALRC takes references from the Commonwealth Attorney-General, conducts public consultation, publishes issues papers and discussion papers, and delivers a final report with recommendations.
What is queensland Law Reform Commission?Show answer
Established under the Law Reform Commission Act 1968 (Qld). Takes references from the Queensland Attorney-General. Recent influential work includes: