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The Legal System

The Legal System. Agencies for Law Reform – Part 2 Mr Scully Preliminary Legal Studies. Outcomes for this Lesson -. Outline other agencies for law reform, and outline their foundation. Parliamentary Committees.

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The Legal System

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  1. The Legal System Agencies for Law Reform – Part 2 Mr Scully Preliminary Legal Studies

  2. Outcomes for this Lesson - • Outline other agencies for law reform, and outline their foundation.

  3. Parliamentary Committees • There are a number of bodies established by governments to monitor the operations of, and propose reforms to, the law in a particular area. At federal level these include the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Family Law Council. • In New South Wales there are three permanent advisory bodies: the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, the Anti-Discrimination Board and the Youth Advisory Council.

  4. Non Government Organisations • Non-government organisations (NGOs) are organisations that are independent of governments. They are under no obligation to conform to any government policy and therefore can be a source of objective information about various issues around the world. • When social attitudes and values change, NGOs can lobby for change by focusing on specific issues, particularly those affecting minority groups. This is particularly important for people who live in countries with repressive governments that restrict freedom of speech.

  5. Lobby Groups • A lobby group is an organised group of people who try to influence government ministers or other Members of Parliament to advance their social or political agenda. The goal may be to change the law, to keep a particular law that already exists, or to introduce new laws. • Lobby groups target Members of Parliament, parliamentary committees, the media and the public as well as governmental inquiries. They may do this by writing letters, requesting a meeting with a representative or Senator, or making policy submissions, or by writing letters to the editor or calling talkback radio.

  6. Media • One of the hallmarks of a sound working democracy is a ‘free’ and ‘fair’ press. This means that the government is not able to inuence what is reported and how it is reported, so stories that reach the public are an accurate account of what is really happening. Another essential feature of a working democracy is diversity of media ownership to dilute the influence of individuals or media companies who may have a particular ideological view to push. • Because of their large audience and geographical reach, current affairs programs like the ABC’s 7.30 are able to interview important political figures about contentious issues. Keeping citizens informed allows them to apply public pressure on governments to address injustice, incompetence or corruption.

  7. Case Study • Punch Drunk – Four Corners • http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2013/02/25/3695353.htm

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