4.2.4 The role of the Victorian Law Reform Commission

‘Victoria’s leading independent law reform organisation, which reviews, researches and makes recommendations to the state parliament about possible changes to Victoria’s laws.’ This is the definition for:

• Victorian Supreme Court
• Victorian Law Reform Commission
• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
• Victorian Government

Which one of these is not a reason for the existence of the VLRC?

• The Victorian Government needs to be informed of changes in society that may require a change in the law.
• The Victorian Government needs impartial advice regarding changes that may need to be implemented.
• Members of parliament do not know enough about the law and require a third party to make decisions for them.
• Members of parliament often lack the time and resources to undertake a thorough investigation of an issue.

In March 2020, the VLRC initiated a community law reform project to consider changes to legislation and practices that should be made to enhance access for people with hearing or vision impairments who wish to serve as jurors in Victoria. Which of the following statements is false?

• The VLRC can only initiate this sort of project if it does not consume too many of its resources.
• The Attorney-General would have given terms of reference to the VLRC for this project.
• The VLRC may hold community consultations in relation to this issue.
• The Victorian Parliament can choose whether or not to accept any recommendations made by the VLRC on this issue.

Section 5 of the Victorian Law Reform Commission Act sets out the specific roles of the VLRC. Which one of these is not a role of the VLRC, as set out in Section 5?

• education
• sentencing
• inquiry
• monitoring

The Victorian Parliament established the VLRC in 2001 by passing the Victorian Law Reform Commission Act 2000 (Vic). The VLRC was therefore created by:

• the courts.
• precedent
• statute
• the law.