National Criminal Law Liaison Committee

The National Criminal Law Liaison Committee considers matters referred to it by the Executive and the Secretariat of the Law Council. The primary purpose of the Committee is to advise the Law Council on criminal law matters of national interest to the legal profession.

The Committee responds to proposed reforms to criminal law and procedure at the federal level, proposals to harmonise criminal law across jurisdictions and also assists the in developing Law Council policy on criminal law matters of national interest.

Issues

The National Criminal Law Liaison Committee maintains a watching brief on:

  • proposals for new Commonwealth criminal offences particularly where they involve an extension of criminal liability and/or strict liability;
  • the content and operation of anti-terrorism laws;
  • sentencing issues, including mandatory sentencing;
  • the dissemination of information to the legal profession on criminal law matters of national interest;
  • proposed reforms to criminal procedure;
  • harmonisation of criminal laws across jurisdictions;
  • powers of Federal law enforcement and intelligence gathering agencies; and
  • any other related matter.

Recent submissions

The National Criminal Law Liaison Committee is also involved in the preparation of submissions to the Commonwealth Government and Commonwealth departments. These submissions have covered issues such as:

  • Jury directions
  • Serious and organised crime
  • Criminal jurisdiction of the Federal Court
  • Anti-terrorism legislation
  • Changes to evidence laws

Members

  • Mr Tim Game SC (Co-Chair) - New South Wales Bar Association
  • Mr David Grace QC (Co-Chair) - The Victorian Bar
  • Mr John Purnell SC - ACT Bar Association
  • Mr George Mancini - The Law Society of South Australia
  • Mr Michael Abbott QC - The Law Society of South Australia
  • Mr Bret Walker SC - New South Wales Bar Association
  • Mr Philip Boulten SC - New South Wales Bar Association
  • Mr Stephen Odgers SC - New South Wales Bar Association
  • Mr Tom Percy QC - The Law Society of Western Australia
  • Associate Professor Judith Fordham - The Law Society of Western Australia
  • Mr David Neal SC - The Victorian Bar
  • Mr Matt O'Brien - Law Society of the ACT
  • Ms Kim Baumeler - The Law Society of Tasmania
  • Mr Robert Stary - Law Institute of Victoria
  • Mr David Edwardson QC - SA Bar Association
  • Mr Phillip Priest QC - The Victorian Bar
  • Mr Sean Reidy - Queensland Law Society
  • Mr Stephen Kavanagh - Law Society of NSW

Contact

For further information on the work of the National Criminal Law Committee, contact: