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Independent Review of Law Reform Institute
Statement – Tasmanian Law Reform Institute, 20 July 2022
Report released: Review of the Tasmania Law Reform Institute
A Review of TLRI 2022 – Final Report (PDF 1.8 MB) has been prepared which reviews the Tasmania Law Reform Institute (TLRI).
This Review was initiated by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania and was conducted with the support of the Law School and the Founding Partners to the Agreement that established the TLRI, namely the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government and the Law Society of Tasmania. The Founding Partners were actively engaged in the consultation process, along with several members (both past and present) of the TLRI Board and various interested organisations and individuals.
The current agreement is due for renewal in November 2022 and it is clear that recent challenges and issues have emerged in relation to the TLRI and its capacity. The scope of the review was guided by a set of detailed Terms of Reference. In March 2022, the Review Panel invited submissions from almost 100 parties or organisations, receiving 16 written submissions and meeting with 22 individuals or groups during April and May 2022. The written submissions can be accessed TLRI 2022 submissions.
The Review Panel was reassured that all parties consulted were unanimous in their view that there was an ongoing need for a strong and vibrant TLRI. Moreover, the submissions highlighted the significant and lasting contribution to the laws of the State and how the TLRI had facilitated an informed and impartial discussion about the role law can make to improve the lives of all Tasmanians.
The Report makes 20 recommendations and the Panel hopes that these will provide an opportunity to reinvigorate the relationship between the Founding Partners and place the TLRI on a secure and sustainable footing into the future.
Media release – Equality Tasmania, 22 July 2022
CALL FOR TAS GOV’T TO ACT ON LAW REFORM INSTITUTE REVIEW
Media release, independent MLC for Nelson Meg Webb, 22 July 2022
State’s Premier Law Reform Agency Critically Underfunded
Independent Member for Nelson said today the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute is critically underfunded.
Ms Webb said an independent review into the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute (TLRI) has found that it makes a significant and efficient contribution to the State’s legal framework to the benefit of all Tasmanians.
“However, the TLRI needs to be placed on a secure and sustainable financial footing as a matter of urgency,” Ms Webb said.
“The review paints a disturbing picture of a critically underfunded and under-resourced Institute, which raises concerns of it being deliberately rundown leading up to the expiry of its operating agreement in November this year.
“The review the TLRI is currently without a Director or research staff, leaving this described ‘jewel in the University’s crown’ struggling to function.
“It is now imperative that the TLRI’s founding partners, particularly UTAS and the Attorney-General, commit to accepting the Review’s recommendations and provide a timeframe by which they will be delivered.”
Ms Webb said the lack of reliable and adequate funding and staffing must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
“The jury is in. Since its establishment in 2001, the TLRI has contributed significantly to the state’s polity with its law reform research and advice helping make Tasmania a fairer and better place.
“Submissions made to the review stressed the Government has received bang for its buck given the nation-leading work produced by the Institute over the last two decades.
“By placing the TLRI on a long-term secure and sustainable funding footing as recommended by this review, the government will be investing in strong independent law reform expertise to the benefit of all Tasmanians.”
Ms Webb said individuals, community sector organisations, senior members of the judiciary, lawyers, academics and MPs from both the Assembly and the Legislative Council all made submissions to the Review Panel.
“The common themes raised included the unique contribution made by the TLRI to State law reform, deep concern over its lack of funding and resourcing, and concerns over its independence from potential interference from either the University or the government.”
The Review of the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute 2022-Final Report, and submissions made to the review process, can be found at: https://www.utas.edu.au/law-reform/news-and-events/tlri-news/report-released-review-of-the-tasmania-law-reform-institute
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC’s submission to the Review can be found at: https://megwebb.com.au/tlri-review-submission/.