Freedom of Information Part II Information Statements
For the benefit of the community the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) releases information through online and print publishing and by responding to requests from the public through various channels.
Making information easily available reduces the need for members of the public to submit requests under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).
This statement is a statutory requirement under that Act. It shows how the VLRC makes information publicly available, and what information. It provides information about the VLRC’s functions, its organisational structure, and how to contact us.
Statement 1: Organisation and functions
The Victorian Law Reform Commission is the central agency for law reform in Victoria. It is a statutory authority, established under the Victorian Law Reform Commission Act 2000. The Commission makes a significant contribution to developing a fair, just and inclusive legal system for all Victorians. The Commission consults with the community and advises the Attorney-General on how to improve and update Victorian laws.
The Commission’s major responsibility is to examine, report and make recommendations on issues that the Attorney-General refers to it. It also has the power to recommend reforms to relatively minor legal issues of general community concern without a reference.
The functions of the Victorian Law Reform Commission are defined in the Victorian Law Reform Commission Act 2000, section 5. Its powers are set out in section 6. Its constitution and procedure are set out in sections 7-16.
The organisational structure of the VLRC can be found in the annual report. The names of Commissioners are published in the About Us section of this website, and also in the annual report which is provided annually to Parliament and published on our website. Appointments of Commissioners are made under theVictorian Law Reform Commission Act 2000, sections 7-10.
The VLRC’s strategic plan summary can be found in the annual report.
When the Commission conducts inquiries into matters that are referred to it by the Attorney-General, information about those references is published on this website under All Projects. When it carries out self-referred community law reform projects, information about those references is published on this website under All Projects. All current and completed projects are included going back to the Commission’s foundation in 2000.
The process that the VLRC follows when it conducts a project, including how the public can contribute, is described on our website. For each project there is a specific page on the website, accessible through the Projects menu, which provides key dates and information about how the public can participate.
The public is able to contact the VLRC through the Contact Us form and other forms on its website, via email and by telephone. From time to time the VLRC seeks input to specific inquiries which can be provided through online forms on its website, or through the website of Engage Victoria. Information that is provided to Engage Victoria for VLRC projects is retained by the VLRC.
Contact details
Telephone: + 61 3 8608 7800
Freecall: 1300 666 555 (within Victoria)
Email: law.reform@lawreform.vic.gov.au
Street Address
Victorian Law Reform Commission
Level 3
333 Queen Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
Mail Address
GPO Box 4637
Melbourne Victoria 3001 Australia
Statement 2: Categories of documents
The VLRC creates and handles many documents and records in the course of its work. They include:
- Written submissions to inquiries
- Responses to online surveys
- Records of consultations
- Drafts of publications (see Publications)
- Research material and statistical data
- Policies and guidelines
- Commission & Division meeting minutes and other papers
- Human resource files
- Financial records
- Compliance records
- Correspondence, including via website inquiries
- Audit & Risk Management committee minutes and other papers
- Media communications
- Training materials
- Newsletters.
Statement 3: Freedom of information arrangements
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, members of the public have the right to request access to documents about their personal affairs and/or the activities of public bodies such as the VLRC.
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) gives members of the public the right to request documents held by the Victorian Government and public bodies such as the VLRC.
The Act gives you the right to:
- request documents about your personal affairs and the activities of public bodies
- request that incorrect or misleading information held about you be amended.
A freedom of information (FOI) request needs to be made in writing. Requests for documents in the possession of the VLRC should be addressed to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Victorian Law Reform Commission
GPO Box 4637
Melbourne VIC 3001
Or via email: law.reform@lawreform.vic.gov.au
The VLRC will seek advice from the Freedom of Information Unit at the Department of Justice and Community Safety. This unit provides advice to Justice statutory bodies that are subject to the Act, including the VLRC, and responds to reviews and complaints made to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner.
More information about freedom of information, and how to lodge an online FOI request, can be found on the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner’s (OVIC) website.
The Information Commissioner’s website also provides information including how to request a review of, or lodge a complaint about, a freedom of information decision made by an agency.
Statement 4: Publications
The VLRC produces many publications in the course of its work. They are publicly available and can be found in the Publications section of the website, in a range of formats (usually pdf, Word and html). Documents that are publicly available on the website are:
- Terms of reference of inquiries
- Issues papers and consultation papers seeking responses from the public for an inquiry
- Information papers providing background information for an inquiry
- Reports and Interim reports containing law reform recommendations to government
- Annual reports of the VLRC’s activities provided to Parliament
- The Law Reform Longlist: 77 Suggestions from the Community
- Educational resources
- Media releases and news items.
Enquiries about our publications should be addressed to the Communications Manager, Victorian Law Reform Commission, GPO Box 4637, Melbourne Victoria 3001 Australia or email law.reform@lawreform.vic.gov.au.
Statement 5: Rules, policies and procedures
The Act governing the functions, powers and other aspects of the VLRC’s activities is the Victorian Law Reform Commission Act 2000.
The VLRC publishes its policies and procedures on its website. These include:
Information about Submissions. Submissions are one way that people can provide written comment on VLRC inquiries.
Information about Consultations. Consultations are the main way that people can provide spoken comment on VLRC inquiries.
Information about community law reform projects and criteria
Environmental sustainability policy
Statement 6: Report literature
The VLRC’s reports on law reform topics are tabled in Parliament. They can be found on the Publications section of its website, after they have been tabled and published. Reports are not available before they have been tabled. This also applies to the VLRC’s annual reports. Reports are available dating back to the year 2000, the year of the establishment of the VLRC.
Any inquiries regarding reports should be addressed to the Communications Manager via email: law.reform@lawreform.vic.gov.au.
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