1 A community law reform project Merrin Mason CEO Victorian Law Reform Commission

2 VLRC background  VLRC is an independent statutory body  8 commissioners who decide on the conclusions and recommendations contained in our reports  VLRC major function – to provide reports to the State Attorney-General on matters referred to us for investigation  additional function – reporting to the Attorney- General on community law reform matters which we identify ourselves

3 VLRC process  Reports are based on: –Research, submissions and consultations  Reports contain: –outline of findings, conclusions and recommendations for reform  Completed reports are: –delivered to the Attorney-General –no advocacy role for VLRC or any follow-up on implementation of recommendations

4 Consultations Discussions with:  Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages  Department of Justice 33 community consultations with:  maternal child health nurses  hospitals  community groups  Indigenous and CALD groups  new parents groups, including young parents/teens.

5 Community consultations

6 Context of project  75,000 births/year in Victoria – the vast majority are registered  More than 2,000/year not registered six months later  Without a birth certificate, it is difficult if not impossible, to access full civil citizenship rights  We looked at ways to improve processes for disadvantaged/vulnerable groups, particularly culturally and linguistically diverse groups.

7 Report structure  Birth notification  Birth registration  Birth certificates  Fees  Vulnerable groups  Awareness and access

8 Birth registration recommendations  Registration of a birth where the applicant is at risk of family violence  Identification of what information taken from the registration form will appear on the birth certificate  Commonwealth Department of Human Services data-matching of birth registration information  Confirmation of birth registration

9 Birth certificate recommendations  Proof of identity requirements  Standard birth certificate as the only document that can be used for official purposes  Fee exemption for concession card holders  Registrar power to grant a fee waiver in appropriate cases  Indigenous Access Fund  payment methods for birth certificate fee

10 Vulnerable groups recommendations  Stolen Generations and other Indigenous peoples’ records  Translation and interpreter service information  Birth registration statement in community languages

11 Awareness and access recommendations  Information about the obligation to register a birth and the benefits of obtaining a birth certificate  Online registration of births  Awareness of the Indigenous Access Team  Phone contact point for service providers  Availability of assistance with paperwork  Expansion of application lodgement venues  Act amended to mandate the promotion of public awareness