Submissions - Archive

Dispute Resolution Frameworks in NSW

A submission by the Bar Association to the New South Wales Law Reform Commission regarding CP 16 Dispute Resolution: Frameworks in NSW.

Workers Compensation Amendments

In June 2012, the NSW workers compensation scheme was substantially altered by the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act 2012 (‘the 2012 amendments’), together with associated regulations and administrative actions. These submissions were made by the New South Wales Bar Association to the Statutory Review of the 2012 Workers Compensation Legislative Amendments.

Access to Justice Arrangements

A submission by the New South Wales Bar Association in response to Productivity Commission Draft Report on Access to Justice Arrangements (April 2014). The focus is on aspects of the draft report which the association considers problematic, unworkable or otherwise worthy of comment. In doing so, they seek to represent the accumulated experience of our membership who appear day in and day out in our courts and tribunals, and are exposed first hand to the difficulties of individuals in gaining access to our system of justice.

Amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975

A submission to the Attorney-General’s Department on amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. The Bar Association considers that any amendment to, let alone repeal of the existing provisions should be preceded by a rigorous and comprehensive review of the alleged deficiencies in their operation, undertaken by an appropriate body such as the Australian Law Reform Commission, and drawing on the expertise and experience of a broad range of groups and individuals. The exposure draft has not been preceded by any such review, nor have any deficiencies in the operation of the existing provisions been identified.

Consorting provisions: issues paper

Review of the Exercise and the Functions of the WorkCover Authority

Supplementary submission regarding the 2012-13 Motor Accidents Authority Annual Report

The New South Wales Bar Association is concerned about increases in premiums in NSW against a background of insurer super profits. There is a concern that these super profits are due to inadequate regulatory control. There is concern that the MAA needs 5 additional regulatory powers and that these powers have not been delivered. It is anticipated that there would be cross-party support for a Bill limited to giving the MAA the regulatory power it needed to reign in excess profits, continue to deliver benefits to the innocent accident victims and stabilise premium for motorists.