1. What does the VLRC do? The VLRC is a independent government funded organisation that monitors and coordinates law reform in Victoria. The major responsibility of the Commission is to research issues the Attorney General refers to it but also the Commission has the power to recommend minor changes to the law without the Attorney Generals reference.

2. What are the 5 powers of the Commission? The 5 powers of the Commission are, 1:To make law reform recommendations on matters that are referred to it by the Attorney- General 2: To make recommendations on minor legal issues of concern to the general community. 3:To suggest idea’s to the Attorney-General should refer to the Commission. 4:To educate the community on area’s of law relevant to the Commissions work. 5:To monitor and coordinate law reform activity in Victoria.

3. List 4 historical facts about the commission 1:The Victorian Law Reform Commissioner was established in 1974 until 1983 when it was replaced by The Victorian Law Reform Commission. 2:In 1992 the Law reform Commission was abolished and replaced by the Parliamentary Law Reform Committee and the Victorian Attorneys- Generals Law Reform Advisory Council. 3: When a new government was elected in 1999 they passes an act to reinstate the Victorian Law Reform Commission in June of 2000. The commission opened for business on 6 of April 2001. 4:The first references given to the Commission on 27 of April 2001 were Sexual offences, Disputes between Co-workers and privacy

4. Summarise the steps taken by the commission into a very short diagram or flow chart. Commission receives a reference from Attorney General or begins a community law reform project The commissions staff undertake initial research and consultation with experts in the area being investigate. An issue/discussion paper is published which explains the key issues and asks the community questions to guide them when writing submissions to the project Submissions are invited from members of the public, and any other interested individual groups. The submissions are read through and considered by researchers. Consolations are undertaken with members of the community. Commissions sometimes ask experts to research where they need more information. Report is published Attorney General tables the report in parliament Parliament decides whether to implement the recommendations.

5. What are some ways the community can become involved? Ways to get the community involved are regular visits and consolations with rural or outer suburban members, meetings with groups of people who are likely to be affected so they can have the opportunity to speak to the law reform commission and electronic communication such as emails newsletter updates

6. Sexual offences 5 facts about the proposed change 1:To improve the law on sexual offences. 2:To get more convictions. 3:To help victims through the trial. 4:To make it a more fair trial for the accused. 5:To help people with disabilities and from different backgrounds such as indigenous and non English speaking feel as though they can tell the police.

7. Surveillance 5 facts about the proposed change 1.Why is surveillance being used in public places? 2.How is it being abused? 3.How is it controlled? 4.Do you need a reason to do it? 5.Does it have to be repeated or can it be a one off act( such as a single rather then a series of photos.)?

8. 4 Groups that provided advice on change 1.State government departments 2.The police 3.Local government 4.Private businesses.

9. 3 Reasons to support the change 1.The change will put further restrictions on what can be looked at by surveillance camera’s. 2.It will still keep businesses safe and help find offenders. 3.Stop things such as stalking and keep more privacy for the public.

10. 2 Main aspects of the terms of reference 1. whether legislative or other measures are necessary to ensure that there is appropriate control of surveillance, including current and emerging methods of surveillance. 2. 2. investigation of publication of photos without the subjects’ consent.

11. 1 Personal opinion about the proposed change My personal opinion about this change is that it is a good idea. As technology grows this subject will appear again and again and restrictions are needed to keep our privacy.