Working for Change
RLC works to make positive change in laws and the legal system in each of its specialist areas of law. RLC's work in this area is based on our clients' experience in interacting with the legal system.
Key Issues
Relief for RLC clients through changes to the Fines Act NSW
The Fines Amendment Act 2019 No 13 (NSW) which will introduce significant changes to the Fines Act 1996 (NSW) has been adopted by the NSW Parliament and was assented to on 21 November 2019.
RLC submissions: Religious Freedom Reforms & Religious Freedom Reforms – second exposure draft
RLC first made submissions to the Religious Freedom Bills consultation on 2 October 2019, detailing a number of our concerns. On 31 January 2020, we made further submissions on the second exposure draft of the Bills.
UNSW Report: Rethinking Strip Searches by NSW Police
A UNSW report commissioned by RLC says the law is failing to provide NSW police with clear guidance on conducting strip searches. The report was added to the record of the inquest into music festival deaths in NSW.
Open Letter: Legal profession calls for legislative change to address the rise in police strip searches
Representatives from over 50 legal organisations and prominent members of the legal profession have signed an open letter to the NSW Police Minister outlining the harmful impacts of strip searches.
Sexual harassment in the workplace
A joint report by Redfern Legal Centre, Kingsford Legal Centre, Women's Legal Service NSW and the National Association of Community Legal Centres was submitted to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces.
Financial Abuse Panel sows seeds for change
In March 2019, RLC held a panel discussion on financial abuse in domestic violence, a fundraiser presented by RLC's Young Professional's Committee.
Police strip searches in NSW: RLC's Safe and Sound campaign
RLC's Safe and Sound campaign aims to raise awareness about rising rates of police strip searches in NSW, and is calling for legistative change to prevent the overreach of police powers in this area.
Review of Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW)
RLC is a member of the NSW Community Legal Centres Care & Protection Network Committee contributing to the Committee’s extensive review of the wholesale amendment agenda of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW). Separately, RLC initiated legislative reform seeking amendment to section 21 of the Act.
RLC Submission: Review of the early release of superannuation benefits
This RLC submission focuses on the impact of current evidentiary requirements for the early release of superannuation benefits on victims of family and domestic violence.
RLC Briefing: Responses to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and Amendment (Review) Bill 2018
RLC is calling for a better balancing of renters' and landlords' rights by ending no grounds and retaliatory evictions, and ensuring that share housing tenants without written agreements can access the same legal protections under the Act as other renters.
RLC Submission: ASIC Consultation Paper on Credit Cards and Responsible Lending Assessments
RLC's submission focuses on the impact of irresponsible lending practices on consumers in response to the ASIC Consultation Paper on Credit Cards and Responsible Lending Assessments.
RLC & Aboriginal Legal Service Submission: Review of the Surveillance Devices Amendment (Police Body-Worn Video)
In this joint submission, RLC and ALS state that operational and legislative changes are required to improve the capacity of police body worn cameras to promote police accountability and transparency.
For more key issues, see our Working For Change archive
Read more about our work, to make positive changes in laws and the legal system, under each of our services here.
Recent Submissions
31 January 2020 Religious Freedom Reforms – second exposure draft
2 October 2019 Submission: Religious Freedoms reforms
1 April 2019 #MeToo: Legal Responses to Sexual Harassment at Work
15 February 2019 Submission: Review of the early release of superannuation benefits
2 August 2018 Submission: ASIC Consultation Paper on Credit Cards and Responsible Lending Assessments
14 June 2018 Submission: Review of the Surveillance Devices Amendment (Police Body-Worn Video) Act 2014
10 November 2017 Submission on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Housing Affordability) Bill 2017
17 September 2017 ALRC Inquiry into the Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
13 December 2016 Inquiry into Freedom of Speech
12 February 2016 Submission: Statutory Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010
11 February 2016 Submission: Review of Alcohol Restriction Zones
18 December 2015 Submission: National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination against Older Australians and Australians with Disability
23 November 2015 Submission: Inquiry into elder abuse in New South Wales
16 October 2015 Submission: NSW Parliament inquiry into Reparations for the Stolen Generation
RLC In Hansard
14 November 2019 Alex Greenwich on the impact of community legal centres (Private Members' Statements)
13 November 2018 Review of Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) – Second Reading
26 September 2018 Residential Tenancies Amendment (Review) Bill 2018 – Second Reading
12 September 2018 Modern Slavery Bill 2018 – Second Reading