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
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.
RLC Submission on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Housing Affordability) Bill 2017
Redfern Legal Centre’s submission is that the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Housing Affordability) Bill 2017 (the Bill) should not proceed.
RLC Submission: ALRC Inquiry into the Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Redfern Legal Centre’s submission focuses on the impact of policing on the incarceration rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
RLC Submission: Parliamentary Inquiry into Freedom of Speech
Redfern Legal Centre's submission to the Inquiry into Freedom of Speech, makes recommendations and draws on our earlier submissions in addressing the terms of this Inquiry.
RLC Submission to Domestic Violence and Gender Inequality Inquiry
Redfern Legal Centre made a submission to an inquiry into domestic violence and gender inequality conducted by the Commonwealth Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees.
RLC’s systemic responses to Private Training Colleges and VET FEE HELP complaints
RLC has assisted several vulnerable clients who have been compelled to sign up to inappropriate vocational training courses and VET FEE HELP loans.
New social housing laws being debated in Parliament could evict innocent tenants
RLC has been working with other Tenancy Services and Community Legal Centres to provide information and work to amend new laws currently being debated in the NSW State Parliament. RLC’s view is that the Bill should not proceed, and that retaining the discretion of the Tribunal is essential to ensuring fair outcomes for innocent tenants including victims of domestic violence.
Consumer Credit and Responsible Lending
Since the introduction of significant reforms to the laws governing consumer credit in Australia, the Credit & Debt team has maintained a focus in its casework on the new responsible lending provisions.
Consolidation of Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws
RLC has been active in the project to consolidate federal anti-discrimination laws in Australia. Unfortunately in March 2013, the Federal Government announced that it would not proceed with the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill, despite recommendations from the Senate enquiry held in January 2013.
Read more about our work, to make positive changes in laws and the legal system, under each of our services here.
Recent Submissions
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 Hasard
26 September 2018 Residential Tenancies Amendment (Review) Bill 2018 – Second Reading
12 September 2018 Modern Slavery Bill 2018 – Second Reading