TAS Passes Controversial Bill To Update Marriage Laws and Make Gender Optional On
Birth Certificates
The Justice and Related Legislation (Marriage and Gender Amendments) Bill 2018 (TAS) (formerly known as the Justice and Related Legislation (Marriage Amendments) Bill 2018 (TAS)) (‘the Bill’) was first introduced to the Tasmanian Legislative Assembly on 16 October 2018. The Bill passed both houses with amendments on 10 April 2019 and is awaiting assent.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Introduced to NT Parliament
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (Authorisations) Bill 2019 (the “Bill”) was introduced to the NT Legislative Assembly on 20 March 2019, by the Hon Natasha Fyles, with the Bill subsequently referred to the Social Policy Scrutiny Committee (the “Committee”) for a report due back in the June 2019 sittings of Parliament.
High Court Considers Political Communication and Safe Access Zones: Clubb v Edwards
[2019] HCA 11
In Kathleen Clubb v Alyce Edwards & Anor; John Graham Preston v Elizabeth Avery & Anor [2019] HCA 11 (10 April 2019) the High Court of Australia has unanimously dismissed so much of two appeals as had been removed from the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Supreme Court of Tasmania to the High Court. In dismissing the appeals the High Court unanimously rejected the appellants' challenges to the two laws which prohibit certain communications and activities in relation to abortions in "access zones" around premises at which abortions are provided. The appeals were heard together as they raised a number of similar issues.
New Laws Require Internet Services Providers To Monitor and Remove Abhorrent Violent
Material
The Criminal Code Amendment (Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material) Bill 2019 (CTH) (‘the Bill’) was introduced to the Federal Parliament on 3 April 2019. The Bill was introduced as a response to the Christchurch terrorist attack on 15 March 2019, in which the perpetrator live-streamed his actions. His video was widely shared on social media platforms.
Consumer Data Right Bill: Senate Committee Reports and ACCC Releases Draft Rules
On 29 March 2019 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced in a Media Release that it was seeking feedback from consumers, businesses and community organisations on the draft rules for the Consumer Data Right (CDR). The Rules will facilitate the operation of the CDR, allowing consumers to easily obtain access to their banking data and have it transferred between service providers. The draft CDR rules follow from the introduction in February 2019 into the House of Representatives of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2019 (Cth) ("the CDR Bill") which proposes to amend the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 (Cth) to introduce a CDR and "open banking".
New Anti-Bullying Bill Introduced to Tasmanian Parliament
The Criminal Code Amendment (Bullying) Bill 2019 (the “Bill”) was introduced to Tasmania’s House of Assembly on 21 March 2019 by the Minister for Justice, the Hon Elise Archer.
Victoria Begins Royal Commission Into Mental Health System
In late 2018, the Victorian Government established the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (‘the Commission’). Between December 2018 and January 2019 the public was invited to consult and provide input on the Terms of Reference for the Commission and to assist in identifying focus areas for the inquiry.
Federal Government Proposes Increasing Penalties For Online Privacy Breaches
In a recent joint Media Release from the Attorney-General, the Hon Christian Porter and the Minister for Communications and the Arts, the Hon Mitch Fifield, it was revealed that the Federal Government is proposing to introduce a new penalty regime under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the “Act”) to ensure Australians are protected when using online services, and that major social media companies take action to protect the personal information they collect about Australians, particularly children.
Landscape South Australia Bill: SA Reforms Natural Resource Management
On 21 March 2019, the South Australian Minister for the Environment and Water, the Honourable D J Speirs (the Minister) introduced the Landscape South Australia Bill 2019 (the Bill) into the SA Parliament, describing it as a Bill for an Act to "promote sustainable and integrated management of the state’s landscapes, to make provision for the protection of the state’s natural resources". The Bill also proposes the repeal of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (NRM Act) .
NT Introduces Youth Justice Amendment Bill To Implement Royal Commission Recommendations
The Youth Justice and Related Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 (NT) (‘the Bill’) was introduced to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on 20 March 2019 by Dale Wakefield, the Minister for Territory Families (‘the Minister’). The Bill has been subsequently referred to the Social Policy Scrutiny Committee, with the final report due to be submitted by 20 June 2019.
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