20.10.2014
Appointments and cessations
On 16 July 2013, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes AM was appointed as a part-time Commissioner for the Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws Inquiry until 30 August 2014.
On 30 July 2013, Professor Barbara McDonald was appointed as Commissioner for the Inquiry into Serious Invasions of Privacy in the Digital Era until 30 June 2014.
On 27 October 2013, Professor Lee Godden was appointed as Commissioner for the Review of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) until 30 March 2015.
On 25 October 2013, Justice Berna Collier’s appointment ended following six years of service as a part-time Commissioner.
Significant events
On 8 October 2013, the ALRC released an Issues Paper for the Serious Invasions of Privacy in the Digital Era Inquiry.
On 15 November 2013, the ALRC released an Issues Paper for the Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws Inquiry.
On 11 December 2013, the Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, released draft Terms of Reference for an inquiry to review Commonwealth laws for consistency with traditional rights, freedoms and privileges. Final Terms of Reference were received on 19 May 2014.
On 13 February 2014, the ALRC’s Report, Copyright and the Digital Economy, was tabled in Parliament by the Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC.
On 20 March 2014, the ALRC released an Issues Paper for the Review of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
On 31 March 2014, the ALRC released a Discussion Paper for the Inquiry into Serious Invasions of Privacy in the Digital Era.
On 22 May 2014, the ALRC released a Discussion Paper for the Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws Inquiry.
Publications
Table 1: ALRC publications completed 2013–14
Area | Publication title | Date of completion |
Corporate | Annual Report 2012–13 (ALRC Report 121) | 27 September 2013 |
Privacy | Serious Invasions of Privacy in the Digital Era (IP 43) | 8 October 2013 |
Disability | Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws (IP 44) | 15 November 2013 |
Copyright | Copyright and the Digital Economy (ALRC Report 122) | 30 November 2013 |
Native Title | Review of the Native Title Act 1993 (IP 45) | 20 March 2014 |
Privacy | Serious Invasions of Privacy in the Digital Era (DP 80) | 31 March 2014 |
Disability | Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws (DP 81) | 22 May 2014 |
Privacy | Serious Invasions of Privacy in the Digital Era (ALRC Report 123) | 30 June 2014 |
Performance
The ALRC has exceeded its performance targets during 2013–14. The ALRC has worked on five inquiries during this period, as opposed to the two inquiries we would normally expect to work on, and has produced five consultation papers, exceeding our target of three papers.
The total number of consultations was 312, exceeding our target of 100.
The total number of submissions received was 976 exceeding our target of 250.
Unique visits to our website have increased by 35% during the period, and the number of people following us on Twitter has increased by 39%, both indicators of our continuing engagement with the broader Australian community. In financial terms the ALRC ends the financial year in a strong position, operating within its current appropriation and achieving all objectives in its work plan.