AOS 1 - DP 3 - 7

Question 1

Role of the VLRC

Answer 1

-To undertake research and make recommendations for changes in the law on issues that are referred to by the Attorney General.
It can:
- make recommendations for law reform on issues which have been referred to it by the Attorney General
- make recommendations on minor issues of greater community concern without referral of the attorney general
- Educate the community
- Monitor and coordinate law reform

Question 2

Process of the VLRC

Answer 2

• Undertake initial research
• Publish and issues or discussion paper
• Invite and consider written submissions
• Undertake consultation with relevant and interested groups and individuals
• Ask experts to research areas requiring further information
• Publish a report with recommendation for changes in the area of law
• Have the report tabled in the Victorian Parliament

Question 3

How individuals and groups influence legislative change

Answer 3

Formal - VLRC, cabinet and government departments

Informal - Petitions, demonstrations and media

Question 4

Petitions

Answer 4

• A petition is a formal written request to the government for action in relation to a particular law that is considered outdated or unjust. It usually has a collection of signatures on it, which have been gathered from supporters. A petition is forwarded to a local mp to be presented at the next sitting of parliament. It can also be conducted on the internet using email addresses instead of signatures. A petition must be addressed to only one house of parliament, it must refer to a matter within the power of parliament to address, it must contain a request and state the facts.
• An example of when a petition has been successful in influencing legislative change was the protesting for increased punishments for animal cruelty. Some people signed a petition and tabled it in parliament, resulting in the passing of Oscar’s law in december 2011.
• Petitions are effective because they are a peaceful, cost effective way of influencing legislative change. They are always tabled in parliament, and are a lot more effective if they gain a lot of support from the community. In some cases, such as the Oscar’s law case, they can be effective, however in most cases, they will not be the cause of a legislative change, but instead, only bring the issue to the attention of the law makers. This is because they do not gain much media coverage and it can be difficult to gain a lot of signatures.

Question 5

Demonstrations

Answer 5

• Demonstrations, also known as protests/rallies are held to alert the government to the need for a change in law. For these to be successful, a large group of people must show their support for the change in the law and attend the demonstration. They aim to bring an issue to the attention of the community and lawmakers, with the objective of influencing a change in that particular law.
• Pressure groups actively influenced a change in the law in the area of cruelty to dogs in puppy farms through demonstrations. Following the wide media coverage, thousands of animal lovers participated in rallies in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in September 2011. Following this massive community call for a change in the law, the Victorian parliament introduced Oscar’s law in december 2011.
• Demonstrations are effective because they are cost effective and more likely to gain media coverage, alerting more lawmakers to the issue. Demonstrations can, however, be not so effective because they often turn violent or disrupt the public. This can bring negative media attention to the issue. In addition to this they can be hard to organise and difficult to actually get enough people to attend.

Question 6

Reasons why laws may need to change

Answer 6

• Changes in values and attitudes in society
• Changes in society
• Advances in technology
• Greater need for the protection of the community
• Greater awareness for the need to protect rights
• Greater demand for access to the law
• Encouraging changes in values in society