In the media
Joint project to boost PS cyber security
Australian Public Service Agencies using ITC gateways are
to have their security strengthened in a joint project involving
the Digital Transformation Agency, the Australian Signals
Directorate, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (04 November
2021).
More...
Teleconference firms zoomed in on privacy
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has
joined other international jurisdictions to warn video
teleconferencing companies that their privacy safeguards have not
kept pace with the expansion of their services during the COVID-19
pandemic (04 November 2021).
More...
Australian company directors now required to create
digital ID
Company directors will now be required to create an
identification number through myGovID that stays with them for life
as the government moves to crack down on illegal phoenixing (01
November 2021).
More...
IBAC corruption prevention work reaches more Victorians
with transition to online forums and events
Victoria's independent anti-corruption agency, IBAC,
continued to prevent and expose public sector corruption and police
misconduct this year with a shift to online forums and events,
making them more accessible to all Victorians (28 October 2021).
More...
Stronger protections against discrimination
introduced
The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to protect
LGBTIQ+ Victorians against discrimination, with landmark reforms
now in effect and further new laws introduced to Parliament (27
October 2021).
More...
Litigation funding reforms introduced into
Parliament
The Morrison Government has introduced legislation into
Parliament to improve outcomes for litigation funding participants
by promoting a fair and reasonable distribution of class action
proceeds (27 October 2021).
More...
Royal Commission: Sweeping reforms needed for
Crown
The Victorian Government is taking immediate action to
introduce tough new measures and strict oversight of
Melbourne's casino operator – ensuring the failures
exposed by the Royal Commission can never happen again (26 October
2021).
More...
Strengthening the justice system and protecting
victims
The Andrews Labor Government is forging ahead with a raft
of reforms to strengthen the justice system following the
recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Management of
Police Informants (26 October 2021).
More...
Law Institute of Victoria urges members of parliament to
take opportunity to get Pandemic Management Bill right
The Law Institute of Victoria urges all members of
parliament to take the opportunity to consider its suggested
amendments to the Public Health and Wellbeing (Pandemic Management)
Bill 2021 following its adjournment of debate in parliament (18
November 2021).
More...
New laws of consent a big 'yes' for
victims
Victoria is to move to an affirmative consent model
following the release of a report from the Victorian Law Reform
Commission after its investigation into sexual violence and the
justice system. The Government will also amend laws to make it
explicit that stealthing is a crime (18 November 2021).
More...
Agencies facing reforms for faster services
Announced by Minister for Regulatory Reform, Danny
Pearson, DTF's Regulation Reform Incentive Fund aims to provide
Victorians with easier, faster and cheaper interactions when
dealing with Government services, in the implementation of more
than 50 regulatory reform initiatives (18 November 2021).
More...
Consumers have scams as complaints no. 1
Requests for money transfers, phishing and fake missed
calls or text messages are among the top five methods being used by
scammers to target Victorians, according to data from Consumer
Affairs Victoria (18 November 2021).
More...
Victoria's pandemic law: New human rights and
accountability safeguards welcomed
The Human Rights Law Centre has welcomed proposed
amendments to Victoria's new pandemic legislation, revealed in
Parliament (16 November 2021).
More...
Combatting modern slavery in the health services
sector
The guide, developed by the Australian Human Rights
Commission in collaboration with KPMG Australia, is the third in a
suite of sector-specific guides which aim to help Australian
businesses understand and manage their modern slavery risks and
respond effectively to the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (15
November 2021).
More...
Majority of Australians want stronger whistleblower
protections
Seven in 10 Australians want more legal protections for
whistleblowers and say that whistleblowers make Australia a better
place, according to new research by The Australia Institute and the
Human Rights Law Centre (15 November 2021).
More...
In practice and courts
Law Council submissions
28 October 2021 – Law Council
Phase 3 of Australia's Digital Identity legislation
Law Council update
The Law Council produces a fortnightly newsletter which
highlights the Law Council's important activities and advocacy,
along with any relevant media and events stakeholders would be
interested in
29 October 2021
12
November 2021
AAT Bulletin
The AAT Bulletin is a weekly publication containing a list
of recent AAT decisions and information relating to appeals against
AAT decisions
Issue No. 22/2021, 1 November 2021
Issue No. 23/2021, 15 November 2021
Consultation on review of the Workplace Gender Equality
Act 2012
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency has invited feedback
on a review of the law covering workplace gender equality in
Australia, on an issued a consultation paper which covers the
current legislation, enshrined in the Workplace Gender Equality Act
2012, as well as gender indicators and continuing employer
reporting obligations. Submissions close on 24 November and further
information can be accessed on the PM&C website at this
PS News link.
HC Bulletin
The High Court Bulletin is compiled approximately once a
month, from February to December.
High Court of Australia Bulletin [2021] HCAB 09 (12 November
2021)
Victoria
Supreme Court of Australia Library Judgments
bulletin
The Law Library of Victoria produces a fortnightly
bulletin that summarises the latest legislation and cases for the
Victorian jurisdiction, as well as High Court of Australia cases.
Download the most recent Library Bulletin:
Law Library Bulletin No 21 (05 November)
Law Library Bulletin No 22 (19 November)
Commonwealth and Victorian Courts' COVID
updates
The Supreme Court of Victoria published a joint
jurisdictional statement from the Chief Justice, on behalf of the
Victorian courts and VCAT in response to the announcement about
easing restrictions. You can access the statement
here (19 November 2021).
Published – articles, papers, reports
Management of spending in response to COVID-19
VAGO: Tabled: 27 October 2021
Have agencies used spending in response to coronavirus (COVID-19)
for its stated purpose and complied with relevant laws and
policies?
More...
Modern slavery in the health services sector: Practical
responses to managing risks to people
Australian Human Rights Commission in collaboration with
KPMG Australia: 15 November 2021
The guide showcases examples of current practice from the sector
and provides good practice guidance (15 November 2021).
More...
Cases
Moorabool Shire Council v Environment Protection
Authority (Review and Regulation) [2021] VCAT
1261
Review and Regulation List – Freedom of Information
– statutory interpretation – whether applicant council
is a 'person' for the purposes of making a request under s
17 – 'person' not defined in FOI Act – defined
in Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 to include body politic
and body corporate unless contrary intention established –
whether excluded because it is also an agency – contrary
intention not established – applicant council's request
is valid – Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 17 –
Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 s 38.
Legislation
Commonwealth
Bills
Privacy
(COVID Check-in Data) Bill 2021
25/10/2021 – this Bill will introduce a ban on using
COVID-19 check-in data for enforcement related activity purposes by
preventing Commonwealth, State or Territory authorities from using
or providing COVID-19 check in data for law enforcement
purposes.
Acts
Privacy
Act 1988
25/10/2021 – Act No. 119 of 1988 as amended
Victoria
Victorian legislation can be accessed here.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.