Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

Publications by topic

About the Department

AGIS - The Attorney-General's Information Service
Attorney-General's Information Service is produced by the Lionel Murphy Library of the Attorney-General's Department.
Annual Report 1995-96
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 1995-96 financial year.
Annual Report 1996-97
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 1996-97 financial year.
Annual Report 1997-98
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 1997-98 financial year.
Annual Report 1998-99
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 1998-99 financial year.
Annual Report 1999-2000
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 1999-2000 financial year.
Annual Report 2000-01
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 2000-2001 financial year.
Annual Report 2001-02
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 2001-2002 financial year.
Annual Report 2002-03
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 2002-2003 financial year.
Annual Report 2003-04
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 2003-2004 financial year.
Annual Report 2004-05
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 2004-2005 financial year.
Annual Report 2005-06
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 2005-2006 financial year.
Annual Report 2006-07
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 2006-2007 financial year.
Annual Report 2007-08
The Attorney-General's Department Annual Report for the 2007-2008 financial year.
Budget 1999 to 2000
The Attorney-General's Department portfolio budget for the 1999-2000 financial year.
Budget 2000 to 2001
The Attorney-General's Department portfolio budget for the 2000-2001 financial year.
Budget 2001 to 2002
The Attorney-General's Department portfolio budget for the 2001-2002 financial year.
Budget 2002 to 2003
The Attorney-General's Department portfolio budget for the 2002-2003 financial year.
Budget 2003 to 2004
The Attorney-General's Department portfolio budget for the 2003-2004 financial year.
Budget 2004 to 2005
The Attorney-General's Department portfolio budget for the 2004-2005 financial year.
Budget 2005 to 2006
The Attorney-General's Department portfolio budget for the 2005-2006 financial year.
Budget 2006 to 2007
The Attorney-General's Department portfolio budget for the 2006-2007 financial year.
Regulatory Plans
The regulatory plan deals with changes within the Department's area of responsibility and contains information about: changes to business regulation which have occurred since the beginning of the previous financial year; and activities planned in the current financial year which could lead to changes to business regulation.
Senate Continuing Order File Lists
New files created for the Attorney-General's Department between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2005 are listed for the Spring Sitting and Autumn Sitting.
Strategic Statement
The Department's Strategic Statement outlines the priorities for the coming year 2008-09.

Bankruptcy

Amendments to the Bankruptcy Regulations 1996 - trustee remuneration and infringement notices
The Attorney-General's Department has prepared exposure drafts to facilitate further public consultation on proposed reforms to the trustee remuneration regime and the proposed infringement notice scheme in the Bankruptcy Act 1996.

Copyright

Head Agreement between Screenrights and the Commonwealth - April 2007
Screenrights and the Commonwealth (represented by the Attorney-General's Department) have entered into this Head Agreement which provides a framework for Agencies to enter into their own Individual Agreements with Screenrights.
 Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement - changes to Australian copyright law - March 2005
The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) came into force on 1 January 2005.
Copyright - Review of Fair Use Exeption - May 2005
An examination of fair use, fair dealing and other exceptions in the Digital Age
Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 - 2000
Overview of the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 - aims, objectives, exceptions, limitations to liability etc. 
Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 fact sheet - 2001
On 17 August 2000 the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Bill 2000 passed the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Copyright in packaging and labelling - January 2000
The Copyright Amendment Act (No.1) became law on 30 July 1998. Schedule 2 of the Act will reform copyright law as it relates to the importation of packaging and labelling, with effect from the end of January 2000.
Copyright issues for marriage celebrants - information sheet - September 2002
Marriage celebrants are often asked by couples to play specific pieces of music, recite poetry or to read from various literary pieces as part of a wedding or civil ceremony.
Copyright issues for marriage celebrants - summary information sheet - September 2002
In Australia, original musical, artistic, literary and dramatic works are protected by the Copyright Act 1968 (the Act), which also protects sound recordings, films, broadcasts and published editions.
Copyright reform - January 2000
Changes to copyright rights in packaging and labelling under Schedule 22 of the Copyright Amendment Act (No.1) 1998
Copyright reform - Parallel importation of books and other published works - June 2000
On 27 June 2000 the Government announced that it will seek to amend the Copyright Act to allow legitimate software products, books, printed music and periodical publications to be parallel imported.
Copyright Reform and the Digital Agenda - July 1997
The Coalition Government is committed to reform of the Copyright Act 1968 to ensure that the effective protection of the rights of copyright owners in the new communications environment is balanced against the needs of users to have reasonable access to copyright materials.
Copyright Amendment (Film Directors Rights) Act 2005 - Fact sheet - December 2005
The Copyright Amendment (Film Directors' Rights) Act 2005 amends the Copyright Act 1968 to give, for the first time, film directors a share of the copyright in the films that they direct.
Electronic rights management - Fact sheet - March 2005
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2004
Extension of copyright term - Fact sheet - March 2005
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2004
Government response to Cracking Down on Copycats - enforcement of copyright in Australia - June 2003
The report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, ‘Cracking Down on Copycats: the enforcement of copyright in Australia ', was released on 4 December 2000.
Government response to Digital Agenda review - May 2006
Government responses to Phillips Fox recommendations and related matters
Guidelines for declaring collecting societies - June 1990 revised April 2001
This document deals with requirements for declaration of collecting societies
Limitations on remedies for copyright infringement against carriage service providers - Fact sheet - March 2005
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2004
New performers rights in sound recordings from 1 January 2005 - Fact sheet - March 2005
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2004
Parallel importation of software products - June 2000
On 27 June 2000 the Government announced that it will amend the Copyright Act to allow legitimate software (including computer-based games), books, printed music and periodical publications to be parallel imported.
Phillips Fox report Digital Agenda review - January 2004
This report has been prepared by Phillips Fox as part of independent research and analysis of the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 and related matters.
Protecting subscription broadcasts - May 2005
Policy review concerning unauthorised access to and use of subscription broadcasts.
Proposal for a directors copyright in films - 2000
Checklist of possible issues relating to the proposal for directors' copyright 
Report of the inquiry into copyright music and small business - November 2000
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs tabled its report Don't Stop the Music! on 1 June 1998. The report arose out of a reference from the Attorney-General, the Hon Daryl Williams AM QC MP, to the Committee on 30 July 1997.
Review of Digital Agenda Act reforms - April 2003
A review of the amendments to the Copyright Act 1968 contained in the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 (Digital Agenda Act) and related matters commenced on 1 April 2003.
Right to reproduce or copy - Exception for the normal use of copyright material - Fact sheet - March 2005
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2004
Stopping the rip-offs - October 1994
Intellectual property protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Moral Rights - 2001
The Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000, which amends the Copyright Act 1968, came into force on 21 De cember 2000.
Agreement between Copyright Agency Limited and the Commonwealth for copying of literary works by the Commonwealth - June 2003
This is the final of the Agreement as signed by the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department on 30 May 2003. The Agreement was signed by CAL on 10 June 2003.
Agreement entered into by the Attorney-General's Department (AGD) and the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) - August 2003
This is the model of the agreement which was entered into by the Attorney-General's Department (AGD) and the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) on 11 August 2003. 

Constitutional law and policy

Government response to Reforming our Constitution: a roundtable discussion
On 23 June 2008, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs tabled its report on the inquiry into constitutional reform entitled Reforming our Constitution.

Crime Prevention and Enforcement

Government Responses - Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australia Crime Commission reports
On Thursday 13 May 2010, the Government tabled responses to the following reports of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australia Crime Commission.

Report to the Council of Australian Governments on the elements of the National Identity Security Strategy - April 2007
This report provides a snapshot of the work to date on the six elements of the Strategy.  It is intended as a guide for organisations who want to improve their current identity security arrangements and they are not mandatory.
Amendment to criminal law provisions - Fact sheet - March 2005
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2004
Government response to the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee Report on Entry and Search Provisions in Commonwealth Legislation - November 2003
Fourth Report - Entry and Search Provisions in Commonwealth Legislation.

Defamation Law

Defamation law reform - July 2004
Defamation law in Australia is currently constituted by a patchwork of common law and State and Territory statutes.

Emergency Management

COAG adopts National Disaster Resilience Strategy
In December 2009, COAG agreed to adopt a whole-of-nation resilience-based approach to disaster management, which recognises that a national, coordinated and cooperative effort is needed to enhance Australia’s capacity to prepare for, withstand and recover from disasters.
Remote Fire Detection Trials - Evaluation of Three Fire Detection Systems
The events of Black Saturday, February 7, 2009, illustrated the immense potential destructive power that bushfires can have under extreme fire weather conditions. A number of systems have been proposed to aid the detection of the outbreak of a bushfire and thus increase the probability that it can be controlled before it develops into a catastrophic event. This study grew out of the Australian Government Attorney General’s Department need for a quantitative assessment of the performance of a number of these systems being proposed for fire detection use in Australia.
National Forum for the Prevention of Bushfire Arson, 2010
Bushfire arson is a major threat to the Australian community, with up to half of all bushfires suspected of being deliberately lit or starting in suspicious circumstances.

Families

Allegations of family violence and child abuse in family law children’s proceedings - May 2007
This research was commissioned by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department to provide baseline information to assist in informing the Australian Government’s Family Law Violence Strategy.
Framework for the evaluation of the family law reform package and longitudinal research - March 2007
This document outlines a proposed framework for the evaluation of the Australian Government's new family law reform package.
A New Family Law System - Government Response to Every picture tells a story - June 2005
Response to the report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs inquiry into child-custody arrangements in the event of family separation June 2005.
Children Beyond Dispute - April 2009
A follow-up research report by Dr Jennifer McIntosh comparing outcomes over four years for two groups of separated parents who attended mediation over parenting disputes. These parents engaged either in an intervention called Child Focused mediation, or in Child Inclusive mediation.
Children’s Contact Services: Expectation and Experience – June 2005 Provides largely qualitative information about the perceived role and usages of children's contact services, from the perspectives of clients, service providers, referring agencies and other key stakeholders.
Children’s Contact Services: Training Needs Analysis – March 2005 Summarises the high level training needs of the Sector relating to tasks/duties and the Children Contact Services operational environment.
Children Beyond Dispute: A Prospective Stud y of Outcomes from Child Focused and Child Inclusive Post-Separation Family Dispute Resolution - October 2006
A research report by Dr Jennifer McIntosh exploring the outcomes for two group of families using two different types of mediation.
Family dispute resolution services in legal aid commissions - Evaluation Report
The Attorney-General's Department engaged KPMG to evaluate family dispute resolution (FDR) services in legal aid commission.
Family Law Evaluation Project 1996 Parental Responsibilities – January 1996 Provides a national benchmark on attitudes to parental responsibility against which comparisons can be made in subsequent years after the introduction of the Family Law Reform Act (1995), Part VII - Children.

Family law evaluation project 1996 - Parental responsibilities - Two national surveys part one - report - January 1996
This report was commissioned by the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department and carried out by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Family law system - Out of the Maze - August 2001
A major report on Australia's family law system. The community is concerned about family breakdown including how the family law system affects separated family members.
Family Violence Prevention Legal Services - Operational Framework - June 2006
Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS) units are community controlled justice, advisory and referral centres for victims of family violence. The units provide practical assistance and emotional support to people seeking to deal with the effects of family violence.
Government response to the Family Law Pathways Advisory Group Report May 2003
Family separation and divorce is frequently associated with entrenched parental conflict. Such conflict is damaging to the individuals involved, particularly to children, and has detrimental and costly effects for governments and the wider community.
Information brochures for families
These brochures describe a range of services that can help families with relationship difficulties.
Primary Dispute Resolution - A rep ort on partnerships - June 2004
This report describes the experiences of seven Partnership Projects funded for two years in 2001 by the Australian Government.
Superannuation FAQs Home - Last updated October 2005
The purpose of this web site is to give you some basic information about superannuation and family law.
Towards quality standards for family dispute practitioners research report 2004 - August 2004
This report forms part of the project being undertaken on behalf of the Department by La Trobe University to develop Practitioner Approval Standards for primary dispute resolution practitioners seeking approval under the Family Law Act 1975.

Fraud Control

Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines - May 2002
Issued by the Minister for Justice and Customs as Fraud Control Guidelines under Regulation 19 of the Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997

Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination

Government Response to Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs 2008 report into the effectiveness of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984
On 26 June 2008, the Senate referred an inquiry into the effectiveness of the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality, to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
Government Response to Access All Areas
In December 2008, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs received terms of reference to consider and report on the draft Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards.
Government Response to Older People and the Law
The Government Response to the Older people and the Law Report was tabled in the House of Representatives on 26 November 2009
National Human Rights Consultation Report
On 30 September 2009 the National Human Rights Committee reported on its nationwide consultation to the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP.
Australias combined Second and Third Reports under the Convention on the Rights of the Child - March 2003
The Australian Government is pleased to present to the Committee on the Rights of the Child Australia's combined Second and Third Reports under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Australias Fourth Report under the Convention Against Torture - June 1997 - October 2004 The Australian Government is pleased to present to the Committee against Torture (Committee) Australia's fourth report under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Convention or Convention against Torture) in accordance with article 19 of the Convention.
Australias Second and Third report under the Convention Against Torture - September 1991-June 1997
Australia's combined Second and Third Report to the Committee Against Torture. It is submitted by Australia under Article 19, paragraph 1, of the Convention.
Draft letter to apply for a declaration by the Attorney-General as an institution assisting persons with a disability - October 2003
This draft letter can be us ed to assist those institutions seeking to apply to the Attorney-General to be declared, for the purposes of s. 10A(1) of Copyright Act, as an institution assisting persons with a print or intellectual disability.
Elimination of racial discrimination - January 1999
Australia's response to the request for information from the United Nat ions Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Governments response to Productivity Commission review o f DDA - January 2005
The Australian Government's disability discrimination policy is designed to break down, to the greatest extent possible, the social and economic barriers that prevent participation in mainstream community life by people with disability.
Technical Review Recommendations for the Draft Disability Standards for Accessi ble Transport - August 2002
In April 1999, the Australian Transport Council (ATC) considered a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on the draft Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (the “Standards”). At this meeting, Ministers agreed to finalise the Standards following some m inor recommended alterations.
Views of the Human Rights Committee in Brough v Australia Communication No 1184/2003 - April 2006
On 17 March 2006, the Human Rights Committee adopted the annexed draft as the Committee's Views, under article 5, paragraph 4, of the Optional Protocol in respect of communication No 1184/2005.

Intellectual Property

Discussion paper - A whole of government approach to IP management - September 2005
The Attorney-General's Department, IP Australia, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Department of Finance and Administration are working together to develop a whole of government approach to the management of intellectual property (IP) by government agencies.
Ergas Committee report - September 2000
Review of intellectual property legislation under the Competition Principles Agreement

International Trade Law

Trade Law Conference 2004
The 26th International Trade Law Conference program brings together speakers from the private profession, academia, government and inter-governmental organisations.

Law Enforcement

Federal Audit of Police Capabilities - December 2009
The Federal Audit of Police Capabilities commenced in February 2009. It examined and reported on the AFP’s capabilities to provide for current and future demands, looking forward up to five years, for policing and law enforcement services to the Commonwealth, including how the AFP will meet the Government’s priorities.

Legal Aid

Family dispute resolution services in legal aid commissions - Evaluation Report
The Attorney-General's Department engaged KPMG to evaluate family dispute resolution (FDR) services in legal aid commission.
Study of the participation of private legal practitioners in the provision of legal aid services in Australia - December 2006
The study of private legal practitioners in the provision of legal aid services is a rich data source that provides a wealth of information on the past, current and future supply of legal aid provided by the private legal profession.
Government response to the Inquiry into Legal Aid and Access to Justice 2004
The Government has been working to improve the provision of legal assistance services for disadvantaged Australians for matters arising under Commonwealth law and to improve services to Indigenous Australians.
Government Response to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee report, Access to Justice December 2009
The Australian Government welcomes the Committee’s report Access to justice released on 8 December 2009.

Legal Services to Government

Commonwealth Legal Services Expenditure Report 2010-2011
Commonwealth agencies are required to report to the Office of Legal Services Coordination about their legal services expenditure within 60 days after the end of the financial year.
Commonwealth Legal Services Expenditure Report 2009-2010
Commonwealth agencies are required to report to the Office of Legal Services Coordination about their legal services expenditure within 60 days after the end of the financial year.
Review of Commonwealth legal services procurement
On 8 January 2010, the Attorney-General announced that he had received the report of an independent review of Commonwealth legal services procurement.
Report on the review of the Attorney-General's legal practice - March 1997
The Review was established by the Attorney-General in November 1996 to consider the needs of the Commonwealth for legal services, and how these might best be met. This report is archived and should be used for reference purposes only.
Working Group on Legal Cooperation report - March 2005
The Second Joint meeting of the Working Group on Legal Cooperation (WGLC) between Indonesia and Australia was held in Canberra on 17 March 2005.

Legal System and Justice

Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Bill 2004 - Exposure Draft - May 2004
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Bill 2004 contains modest reforms that will better enable the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to flexibly manage its workload and ensure that reviews are conducted as efficiently as possible
Amalgamating Commonwealth Tribunals - February 1999
Paper presented to Managing Service Provider Liabilities and Accountability Conference Sydney, 16 February 1999, by Sue Pidgeon, Assistant Secretary, Civil Justice Branch.
Federal Civil Justice System Strategy Paper - December 2003
The Federal Civil Justice System Strategy Paper has been prepared by the Attorney-General's Department in consultation with the courts, the legal profession, legal service providers, and other stakeholders.
Government response to Australian Law Reform Commission Report No 89 - May 2003
Managing Justice : A review of the federal civil justice system.
Judges pension scheme - Australian Government Actuary - long term cost report - June 2005
A report on the long term costs, carried out by the Australian Government Actuary using data to 30 June 2005.
Options for the establishment of a National Judicial College - May 2001
Report of the National Judicial College Working Group to the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, May 2001
Private practitioners and the Australian mixed model - October 2005
The evidence reporting that private practitioners have disengaged from legal aid work clearly demonstrates that labour marke ts for legal aid in Australia have changed since 1990. However, the dimensions of labour market change and its significance for the mixed model is less clear.
The Final Report of the Evaluation of the Northern Territory Agreement - April 2004
In July 2000, the Commonwealth signed an agreement with the Northern Territory to establish a Juvenile Pre-Court Diversion Scheme and jointly fund an Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS).
The Review of the Northern Territory Agreement - December 2002
This report describes the process and findings of the review of progress of the agreement between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments to establish a pre-court juvenile diversion scheme and a jointly funded Aboriginal Interpreter Service (the Agreement).
Trans-Tasman court proceedings and regulatory enforcement - December 2006
A report by the Trans-Tasman Working Group
Working group on criminal trial procedure report - September 1999
In this report we seek to identify areas in which the existing system of the administration of criminal justice can be improved.

Legislative Drafting and Publishing

Authorised electronic Acts consultation paper - January 2006
The Attorney-General's Department is proposing legislative amendments to provide for authorised electronic versions of Commonwealth Acts and compilations of Acts. This will improve the accessibility of freely a vailable authoritative information about Australia's laws.

Marriage

Notice of intended marriage form
Section 42 of the Act provides that, prior to a marriage taking place a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be given by the couple and received by the authorised celebrant solemnizing the marriage.

Model Criminal Code

Crimes Act 1914 Independent Review of Part 1D (Forensic Procedures) - 2002
Under section 23YV of the Crimes Act 1914, an independent review of Part 1D is being conducted. Part 1D provides for forensic procedures to be carried out on suspects for federal indictable offences, federal offenders for prescribed and serious offences and on volunteers. The Part also provides for the matching of DNA profiles on a DNA database system, offences in relation to the DNA database system, the protection of information stored in the DNA database system and the destruction of forensic material.
Criminal Code Practitioner Guidelines - March 2002
It is with great pleasure that the Attorney-General's Department has been able to work in association with the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration to produce these guidelines for practitioners on the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
Double jeopardy reform proposals - March 2004
Model Criminal Code - Chapter 2 - Issue estoppel, double jeopardy and prosecution appeals against acquittals.
Forensic procedures Model Provisions - February 2000
The draft extends previously drafted core provisions for the ca rrying out of forensic procedures on people who are suspects in relation to offences. The provisions are extended to cover forensic procedures on people who have been convicted of offences punishable by 5 or more years of imprisonment or who volunteer to undergo forensic procedures and include provisions relating to DNA databases containing information derived from forensic material obtained by such procedures.
Independent review of Part 1D Forensic Procedures - 2002<
Under section 23YV of the Crimes Act 1914, an independent review of Part 1D is being conducted. Part 1D provides for forensic procedures to be carried out on suspects for federal indictable offences, federal offenders for prescribed and serious offences and on volunteers.
Independent review of Part 1D Forensic Procedures - Submissions - September 2002
Crimes Act 1914 Review of Part 1D Submissions
Model Bill - Final draft - February 2000
The draft extends previously drafted core provisions for the carrying out of forensic procedures on people who are suspects in relation to offences.
Model domestic violence laws - report - April 1999In September 1996 the Federal Government convened the National Domestic Violen ce Forum in Canberra.
National Project on Drink Spiking: Investigating the nature and extent of drink spiking in Australia - 12 November 2004
The National Project on Drink Spiking: Investigating the nature and extent of drink spiking in Australia, prepared by the Australian Institute of Criminology, is the first comprehensive report on drink spiking in Australia.
Report of independent review of Part 1D of the Crimes Act 1914 - Forensic procedures - March 2003
Under section 2 3 YV o f the Crimes Act 1914, an independent review of Part 1D is being conducted. Part 1D provides for forensic procedures to be carried out on suspects for federal indictable offences, federal offenders for prescribed and serious offences and on volunteers.
Report of the Review of Division 11A of Part 1D of the Crimes ACT 1914 Forensic procedures - overseas incidents July 2004
This review arises from section 23YUK of Division 11A of the Crimes Act 1914 which requires the Commonwealth Minister for Justice to commission an independent review of the operation of Division 11A as soon as possible after the first anniversary of the commencement of the Division. The Division commenced operation on 12 October 2002.
Final Report - Drink and Food Spiking - 20 July 2007
Model Criminal Law Officers' Committee of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.

National Security and Counter Terrorism

Practitioners' Guide to the National Security Information (Criminal and Civil Proceedings) Act 2004
The Guide has been issued under the authority of the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP.
Cross-border investigative powers for law enforcement Report - November 2003
Standing Committee of Attorneys-General and Australasian Police Ministers Council Joint Working Group on National Investigation Powers.
Non-disclosure and witness exclusion certificates Annual Report - September 2007
This annual report has been prepared in accordance with section 47 of the National Security Information (Criminal and Civil Proceedings) Act 2004, which requires the Attorney-General to provide a report of the number of non-disclosure and witness exclusion certificates given under the Act each financial year.

Organised Crime

Commonwealth Organised Crime Strategic Framework: Overview
Released by the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland, on 25 November 2009.

Privacy

Response to the Recommendations of the Privacy Impact Assessment - May 2007
In late 2006 AusCheck contracted with Salinger Consulting Pty Ltd (Salinger & Co) to conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) of the background checking service for the Aviation and Maritime Security Identity Card regimes that AusCheck was established to provide.

Personal Property Securities reform

Government Response to the Report of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs – June 2009 The Australian Government has accepted almost all of the Committee's recommendations in respect of the Bill.

Private International Law

Exclusive choice of court agreements Draft Hague Convention - March 2005
Over recent years, the Hague Conference on Private International Law has been facilitating negotiations on a Convention on Jurisdiction and Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters.

Protective Security

Protective Security Policy Framwork
On 8 June 2010, Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, launched the Australian Protective Security Policy Framework. Protective security comprises the physical, personnel, information and procedural measures that are put in place to safeguard Australia’s national interests.

Royal Commissions

Royal Commission into the building and construction industry - first report - 5 August 2002
By letters patent dated 29 August 2001 issued under the hand of the Governor-General, I am required to inquire into and report on the following matters in relation to the building and construction industry.

Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan
The Department's Strategic Plan outlines the priorities for the coming year 2010-12.

Telecommunications Interception and Surveillance

Surveillance Devices Act 2004 – Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2011
This is the seventh Annual Report on the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 and relates to the year ending 30 June 2011.
Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 – Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2011
This is the 23rd Annual Report on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, relating to the year ending 30 June 2011.
Surveillance Devices Act 2004 - Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2010
This is the sixth Annual Report on the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 and relates to the year ending 30 June 2010.
Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 – Annual Report for the year ending June 2010
This is the 22nd Annual Report on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, relating to the year ending 30 June 2010. 
Surveillance Devices Act 2004 - Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2009
This is the fifth Annual Report on the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 and relates to the year ending 30 June 2009.
Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 - Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2009
This is the 21st Annual Report on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, relating to the year ending 30 June 2009.
Surveillance Devices Act 2004 – Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2008
This is the fourth Annual Report on the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 (the SD Act) and relates to the year ending 30 June 2008.
Surveillance Devices Act 2004 - Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2007
This is the third Annual Report on the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 (the SD Act) and relates to the year ending 30 June 2007.
Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 - Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2007
This is the ninth Annual Report on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (the TIA Act) and relates to the year ending 30 June 2007.
Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 Report for the year ending 30 June 2006
This is the eighteenth Annual Report on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (the TIA Act), and relates to the year ending 30 June 2006.
Amendment to encoded broadcast provisions - Fact sheet - April 2005
US Free Trade Agree ment Implementation Act 2004
Blunn report of the review of the regulation of access to communications - August 2005
Since 1994 there have been four major reports dealing with telecommunications interception.
Exposure draft telecommunications interception provisions - February 2007
The main purpose of the Telecommunications (Intercepti on and Access) Bill 2007 is to transfer the national security and law enforcement-related provisions from the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Telecommunications Act) to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (the TIA Act) to complete the development of a single legislative framework for national security and law enforcement agencies to access telecommunications-related data.
Report of review of named person warrants and other matters - June 2003 Telecommunication s (Interception) A ct 1979 - June 2003.
Surveillance Devices Act 2004 - Report for the year ending 30 June 2006 - Annual Report
This is the second Annual Report on the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 (the Surveillance Act), and relates to the period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006.  The Surveillance Act commenced operation on 15 December 2004.
Surveillance Devices Act Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2005
This is the first Annual Report on the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 (the Surveillance Act), and relates to the period from 15 December 2004 to 30 June 2005. The Surveillance Act commenced operation on 15 December 2004.
Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 Report for the year ending 30 June 2000
This is the twelfth Annual Report prepared in accordance with the requirements of that Division, and relates to the year ending 30 June 2000.
Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 Report for the year ending 30 June 2001
This is the thirte enth Annual Report prepared in accordance with the requirements of that Division, and relates to the year ending 30 June 2001 .
Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 Report for the year ending 30 June 2002
This is the fourteenth Annual Report prepared in accordance with the requirements of that Division, and relates to the year ending 30 June 2002.
Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 Report for the year ending 30 June 2003
This is the fifteenth Annual Report on the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 (the Interception Act), and relates to the year ending 30 June 2003.
Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 Report for the year ending 30 June 2004
This is the sixteenth Annual Report on the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 (the Interception Act), and relates to the year ending 30 June 2004.
Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 Report for the year ending 30 June 2005
This is the seventeenth Annual Report on the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 (the Interception Act), and relates to the year ending 30 June 2005.
Telecommunications interception policy review - May 1999
During the passage of amendments to the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 ('the Interception Act') in 1997 the Parliament inserted a provision requiring a review to be carried out of the provisions conferring a power to issue warrants on nominated members of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ('AAT').

War Crimes

Report on the Operation of the War Crimes Act 1945 to June 2011
The Report on the War Crimes Act 1945 for the period ending June 2011.
Report on the Operation of the War Crimes Act 1945 to June 2010
The Report on the War Crimes Act 1945 for the period ending June 2010.
Report on the Operation of the War Crimes Act 1945 to June 2009
The Report on the War Crimes Act 1945 for the period ending June 2009.
Report on the Operation of the War Crimes Act 1945 to June 2008
The Report on the War Crimes Act 1945 for the period ending June 2008.
Report on the Operation of the War Crimes Act 1945 to June 2007
The Report on the War Crimes Act 1945 for the period ending June 2007.
Report on the Operation of the War Crimes Act 1945 to June 2006
The Report on the War Crimes Act 1945 for the period ending June 2006.