Law reform (last sac!)

Question 1

Role of VLRC

Answer 1

• develop, monitor and co-ordinate law reform in victoria

- research and make recommendations on issues referenced to them by the AG

Question 2

VLRC strengths + weaknesses

Answer 2

1. gov is likely to accept due to them giving reference
2. takes into consideration public opinion
3. can make recommendations in minor areas of law without reference from AG
4. parliament has no obligation to accept recommendations
5. timely and costly
6. scope is limited as they can only make recommendations on areas given to them by AG + some minor issues

Question 3

petitions strengths + weaknesses

Answer 3

1. reflect community values
2. gain public support/interest
3. MP’s must table petition
4. simple and inexpensive
5. does not guarantee reform
6. not as visual (may not gain media attention)
7. parliament receives hundreds of submissions (may not be timely)
8. hard to gain enough signatures

Question 4

petitions example

Answer 4

• 2016
• ‘plastic bag free victoria’ presented an 11,000 signature petition
• demanding non reusable plastic bags be banned

Question 5

parliamentary committee role

Answer 5

victorian standing committee on legal and social issues is an ongoing comitte that inquires and reports on any issue dealing with gaming, health, community service, law/justice and the coordination of government.
-legislative council

Question 6

PC strengths + weaknesses

Answer 6

• can investigate wide range of issues
• involvement of MP’s (increasing their general support as allows them to gain knowledge and expertise)
• community input (representative nature of parliament
• limited resources (on committee cannot examine all worthy issues)
• parliament may not respond
• domination by government

Question 7

Pc recent example

Answer 7

• may 2019
• legislative council provided VSC with terms of reference for cannabis in Vic
• protect youngins, prevent crime, implement education
• vic wasting millions on their current ineffective approach to stop extensive cannabis use

produced report in aug 2021

• 17 submissions
• legalising cannabis in small amounts

-gov not yet responded but has to do so within 6 months of being tabled.