Domestic and family violence advocates have raised concerns about the lack of consultation around the criminalisation of coercive control.
Law reform
Redfern Legal Centre works to change unjust laws and policies that impact the communities we serve.
On this page
RLC works to make positive changes to the law and the legal system in each of our specialised areas of practice. Our law reform work is informed by our clients' experience of the legal system, and follows priorities set out in our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.
Learn more about current law reform priorities and submissions undertaken by RLC.
Current focus areas

News
Revenue NSW has conceded that many COVID-19 fines are invalid. But what does that mean for the rest of the community who may have received or paid fines?

News
RLC and Slater and Gordon Lawyers have issued a class action proceeding for people who have been unlawfully searched by NSW Police at all music festivals in NSW since 22 July 2016.
Recent law reform submissions
Papers and submissions
RLC and the Economic Abuse Reference Group (EARG) have made submissions to Government recommending a phased approach to criminalising coercive control.
Papers and submissions
RLC's submission highlights an opportunity for the proposed renewal of the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct to deliver much-needed social, affordable and Aboriginal housing.
Papers and submissions
RLC's submission discusses current and future housing needs including affordable social and Aboriginal housing, and Waterloo's social housing community through redevelopment and relocations.
Papers and submissions
The Economic Abuse Reference Group (EARG) makes recommendations to ensure economic abuse is a critical part of the national plan, calling for shorter and more targeted action plans with tangible outcomes.
Papers and submissions
Financial Rights Legal Centre, Consumer Action Law Centre and RLC have made joint submissions on further changes needed to protect the medically and financially vulnerable.
Papers and submissions
RLC’s policy submission in response to the Interim Report to the Australian Government strongly supports the enshrinement of a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution.
Papers and submissions
RLC's submissions to the Senate Inquiry into consumer credit reforms.
Papers and submissions
RLC's submission highlights our concerns about the effectiveness of the current processes identified in the Strategy in supporting the prevention of homelessness
Papers and submissions
EARG believes the criminalisation of coercive control won’t necessarily achieve better outcomes for victim-survivors.
Media releases
Media releases
Redfern Legal Centre (RLC) is calling on the NSW Government to put an immediate stay on enforcement orders issued to people who have not yet paid their COVID-19 fines.
Media releases
Leading domestic and violence advocates say they cannot support the Coercive Control Bill in its current form.
Media releases
Latest NSW Police strip-search figures show that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people were still being subjected to strip searches, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and children disproportionately targeted.
Media releases
RLC is calling on the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) to examine NSW Police’s internal child protection policy.
Media releases
Redfern Legal Centre has called on NSW Police to release its 'Safe Driving’ policy as a matter of urgency following the tragic death of a 16-year-old Indigenous boy, Jai Wright.
Media releases
Nearly 3,000 COVID-19 fines totalling just over $2.1 million dollars have been issued to children aged 10-17 years since 1 July last year, NSW police data reveals.
Media releases
Over 100 prominent members of the legal, academic and political profession have endorsed an open letter sent to the NSW Premier, calling on the NSW Government to revoke wrongly issued COVID-19 fines.