NLA Submissions
Integral to our policy and advocacy role is the constructive advice, guidance and direction we provide to government. This page contains pdf files of the submissions NLA has made to various Commonwealth Government and Parliamentary inquiries.

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A New Act to Replace the Disability Services Act 1986, DSS Consultation Paper (10-02-23)
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Administrative Review Reform - NLA submission to AGD (12-05-23)
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Approach to Responsible Lending Consultation Paper - NLA submission to AFCA (11-09-23)
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Disability Services and Inclusion Bill 2023 submission to DSS (18-08-23)
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Exposure Draft Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 - NLA submission to AGD (07-03-23)
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Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2023 - NLA submission to Senate Legal Constitutional Affairs Committee (30-05-23)
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Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 NLA submission to Senate Legal Constitutional Affairs Committee (27-06-23)
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Inquiry into Australia's Human Rights Framework Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights (30-06-23)
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Measuring what matters - NLA submission to Treasury (31-01-2023)
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NDIS General Issues Inquiry - NLA submission to the Joint Select Committee on NDIS (30-06-23)
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Review into an appropriate cost model for Commonwealth anti-discrimination laws - NLA submission (14-04-23)
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Senate Select Committee on Australia's Disaster Resilience - NLA submission (19-05-23)
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Respect at Work Bill 2022 - NLA submission to Senate Inquiry (Oct 2022)
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Nov 2022)
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2023-24 Pre-Budget Treasury - NLA submission 13 Dec 2022
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Improving the competency and accountability of family report writers NLA submission 07-01-2022 inc VLA submission
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Decision-making framework for property matters in family law AGD (03-09-21)
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Establishment of an Accreditation Scheme for Children's Contact Services AGD (28-05-21)
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Family Law Amendment (Federal Family Violence Orders) Bill 2021 - Senate inquiry (02-07-21)
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National Register of Enduring Powers of Attorney AGD (06-08-21)
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NDIS Access & Eligibility Policy with independent assessments (23-02-21)
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NDIS Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Bill 2021 Exposure Draft (07-10-21)
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NDIS Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee) Bill 2021 Senate Inquiry (17-11-21)
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NDIS inquiry into Independent Assessments Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS (31-03-21)
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NDIS Planning Policy for Personalised Budgets & Plan Flexibility (23-02-21)
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Council of Attorneys-General Age of criminal responsibility Working Group Review (28-02-20)
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Inquiry into family domestic and sexual violence Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs (18-08-20)
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Joint Select Committee on Australia's Family Law System (31-01-2020)
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Lessons to be learned in relation to the Australian bushfire season 2019-20 (29-5-20)
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Review of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2020 (30-06-20)
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Centrelink's Compliance Program - Community Affairs References Committee inquiry (27-09-2019)
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Draft Terms of Reference for a Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (28-03-2019)
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NDIS Planning Inquiry Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS (06-09-2019)
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Review of the coordination and funding of financial counselling services across Australia (DSS) (22-03-19)
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Review of the NDIS Act and the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee (04-11-2019)
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ALRC Review of the family law system Discussion Paper 86 (3-12-18)
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ALRC Review of the family law system Issues Paper 48 (21-6-18)
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Closing the Gap Refresh The Next Phase (1-5-18)
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Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill 2018 (19-7-18)
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Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (16-2-18)
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Family Law Amendment (Parenting Management Hearings) Bill 2017 (20-2-18)
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Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2018 (6-12-18)
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Law Council of Australia's Review of the Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules (6-9-18)
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Review of Consumer Credit Reporting and Hardship (8-6-18)
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Review of Indigenous Legal Assistance Program (5-10-18)
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Review of National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services 2015-20 (5-10-18)
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Review of the National Partnership Agreement & Indigenous Legal Assistance Program - ALAF submission (5-10-18)
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The Treasury 2018-19 Pre-Budget Submission (31-1-18)
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A better family law system - Parliamentary inquiry (25 May 2017)
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AGD draft terms of reference for the ALRC inquiry Incarceration rates of Indigenous Australians (13 Jan 2017)
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ALRC Discussion Paper 83: Elder Abuse (7 March 2017)
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ALRC Inquiry incarceration rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (2 Oct 2017)
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Australian Treasury Federal Budget 2017-18 submission (17 Feb 2017)
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Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill 2017 (19 Sept 2017)
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Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (14 Feb 2017)
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ALRC Issues Paper 47: Elder Abuse (1 Nov 2016)
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Australian Government's Federal Budget 2016-17 (23 March 2016)
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Australian National Standards for Working with Interpreters in Courts & Tribunals - public consultation draft June 2016 (16 Aug 2016)
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Australian National Standards for Working with Interpreters in Courts and Tribunals
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Family Law Council Families with Complex Needs & the Intersection of the Family Law & Child Protection Systems (19 Jan 2016)
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National Disability Advocacy Program (21 June 2016)
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Stopping family violence and the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Access to Justice report (13 April 2016)
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Draft Parenting Orders Handbook - 3 Nov 2015 NLA submission to Family Law Branch, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Improved assessment process for carer payment and carer allowance - 27 Nov 2015 NLA submission to Department of Social Services Carer Payment & Carer Allowance Assessment
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Inquiry into the ATSI experience of law enforcement and justice services - 15 May 2015 NLA submission to Senate Finance & Public Administration Committees
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NLA submission Family Law Council Families with Complex Needs and the Intersection of the Family Law and Child Protection Systems - 29 May 2015 NLA submission to Family Law Council, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Review of the 2007 Guidelines for Family Law Courts and Children's Contact Services - 21 Sept 2015 NLA submissoin to Family Law Branch, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Review of the Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution - 15 May 2015 NLA submission to Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council
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Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Consultation Paper on redress and civil litigation - 6 March 2015 NLA submission to Chair, Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
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ACIL Allen Consulting Review of the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services - response to the draft report - May 2014 NLA submission to ACIL Allen Consulting
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Inquiry into grandparents who take primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren - March 2014 NLA submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
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Inquiry into grandparents who take primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren - response to questions on notice - Sept 2014 NLA submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
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Inquiry into the Child Support Program, response to request for further information - Nov 2014 NLA submission to the House of Representatives' Standing Committee on Social Policy & Legal Affairs
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Parliamentary Inquiry into the Child Support Program - June 2014 NLA submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy & Legal Affairs
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Productivity Commission Inquiry into Access to Justice Arrangements - response to questions on notice - Sept 2014 NLA submission to the Australian Government Productivity Commission
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Productivity Commission Inquiry into Access to Justice Arrangements - response to the draft report April 2014 - May 2014 NLA submission to the Australian Government Productivity Commission
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Discussion Paper: Changes to disclosure requirements for small amount credit contracts - 13 May 2013 NLA submission to The Treasury
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Discussion Paper: Changes to disclosure requirements under the National Consumer Protection Act 2009 - 24 May 2013 NLA endorsement of the joint submission by the Consumer Credit Legal Centre (NSW) Inc and the Consumer Action Law Centre to The Treasury
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Family Support Program, Family Law Services Research - 8 March 2013 NLA submission to The Allen Consulting Group
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Inquiry into the impact of federal court fee increases since 2010 on access to justice in Australia - 16 April 2013 NLA submission to the Senate Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry
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Productivity Commission Inquiry into access to justice arrangements (16-8-13)
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Productivity Commission Inquiry into access to justice arrangements issues paper (22-11-2013)
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Reducing legal barriers for people with disability- 28 June 2013 NLA submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission
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Tendency & Coincidence Evidence Law Provisions of the Uniform Evidence Act - 4 October 2013 NLA submission to the Administrative and Evidence Law Section, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (National Children's Commissioner) Bill 2012 - 4 June 2012 NLA submission to Senate Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee
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Consultation on early intervention process in parenting matters when allegations of risk are raised - October 2012 NLA submission to the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia
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Crimes Amendment (Fairness for Minors) Bill 2011 - Jan 2012 LANSW submission
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Detention of Indonesian Minors in Australia - 7 June 2012 NLA submission to Senate Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee
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Improving the Interface between the State and Territory Child Protection Systems and the Federal Family Law System - 8 Feb 2012 NLA submission to Family Law Branch Options Paper, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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NLA submission to Visa Cancellation - implications for access to justice - September 2012 NLA submission to the Attorney-General's Department, Civil Justice & Legal Services Group AGD
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NPA Draft Evaluation Framework - August 2012 NLA submission to The Allen Consulting Group
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Second draft evaluation framework; Review of the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services - October 2012 NLA submission to The Allen Consulting Group
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Social Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 (Stronger futures in the NT Bill 2011) and Stronger Futures in the NT (Consequential & Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011 - 6 Feb 2012 NLA submission to Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
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Children's Contact Services Consultation Paper - 18 March 2011 NLA submission to Family Law Branch, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Discussion Paper on Forced and Servile Marriage - 7 Feb 2011 NLA submission to Criminal Justice Division, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Draft Best Practice Principles for use in Parenting Disputes when Family Violence or Abuse is Alleged - 13 May 2011 NLA submission to Family Court of Australia
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Family Law Amendment Bill (Family Violence) 2010 - 14 Jan 2011 NLA submission to Family Law Branch, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence & Other Measures) Bill 2011 - 6 May 2011 NLA submission to Senate Legal & Constitutional Committees
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Family Violence & Commonwealth Laws: Child Support and Family Assistance Issues Paper 38 - 24 June 2011 NLA submission to Australian Law Reform Commission
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Family Violence & Commonwealth Laws: Immigration Law Issues Paper 37- 20 May 2011 NLA submission to Australian Law Reform Commission
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Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws: ALRC Discussion Paper 76 Summary - 27 Oct 2011 NLA submission to Australian Law Reform Commission
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Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Clients in the Family Law System - 7 Nov 2011 NLA submission to Family Law Council, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Inquiry into Australia's Immigration Detention Network - 19 Aug 2011 NLA submission to Joint Select Committee on Australia's Immigration Detention Network
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Inquiry into International Child Abduction to and from Australia - 16 Aug 2011 NLA submission to Senate Legal & Constitutional Committees
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Inquiry into the Consumer Credit & Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011 - 14 Oct 2011 NLA submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations & Financial Services
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Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test and Other Provisions) Bill 2011 - 1 June 2011 NLA submission to Senate Legal & Constitutional Committees
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National Consumer Credit Protection (Credit Cards & Home Loans) Bill 2011, response to summary of issues - 14 April 2011 NLA submission to The Treasury Corporations & Financial Services Division
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National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Credit Cards & Home Loans) Bill 2011 - March 2011 NLA submission to The Treasury Corporations & Financial Services Division
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Natural Disaster Insurance Review (NDIR) - A consumer perspective on the NDIR Issues Paper - 22 Aug 2011 NLA submission to The Treasury Natural Disaster Insurance Review
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Proposed Consumer Credit Legislation - high-cost, short-term lending - National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment Bill 2011 - 3 Aug 2011 Joint submission to Minister for Financial Services & Superannuation
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Reforming Flood Insurance: Clearing the waters discussion paper - Insurance Contracts Act Review - 13 May 2011 Joint submission to The Treasury Insurance Contracts Act Review
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Review of recent changes to court fees - 19 Aug 2011 NLA submission to Federal Courts Branch, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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Australian Consumer Law Draft Guides - October 2010 NLA submission to Policy & Legislation Division Consumer Affairs Victoria
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Family Violence: Improving Legal Frameworks Consultation Paper - July 2010 NLA submission to Australian Law Reform Commission
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Guide to Unfair Contract Terms - 16 April 2010 NLA submission to Consumer Strategies, ACCC
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Inquiry into the Civil Dispute Resolution Bill 2010 - October 2010 NLA submission to Senate Standing Committee on Legal & Constitutional Affairs
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Key National Principles for Resolution of Disputes - April 2010 NLA submission to National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC)
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National Legal Profession Taskforce - August 2010 NLA submission to National Legal Profession Branch, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
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NLA submission to Green Paper on National Credit Reform - August 2010 NLA submission to The Treasury, Corporations & Financial Services Division
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Reference Concerning the Integrity of ADR Processes - March 2010 NLA submission to National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC)
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Unfair Terms in Insurance Contracts: Options Paper - 20 May 2010 NLA submission to The Treasury, Corporations & Financial Services Division
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National Legal Aid Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs - Inquiry into Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Commonwealth (Sept 2008)
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NLA Submission the Access to Justice Division - A Strategic Framework for Access to Justice in the Federal Civil Justice Sysyem, September 2009, Report by the Access to Justice Taskforce Attorney-General's Department (Dec 2009)
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NLA Submission to Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs - Government Green Paper, Which Way Home? A new approach to homelessness (July 2008)
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NLA Submission to Draft Regulations National Consumer Credit Protection, Consumer Credit Unit, Corporations and Financial Services Division, The Treasury - (December 2009)
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NLA Submission to Joint Standing Committee on Migration - Inquiry into Immigration Detention in Australia (October 2008)
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NLA Submission to the Australian Law Commission - Discussion Paper 72, Review of Australian Privacy Law (December 2007)
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NLA Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission - ALRC IP32-Review of Privacy Credit Reporting Provisions (March 2007)
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NLA Submission to the Civil Jurisdiction and Federal Courts Branch, Attorney General's Branch - Federal Civil Justice Strategy Paper (June 2004)
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NLA Submission to the Department of Immigration - Discussion Paper, 2007-08 Review of Statutory Self-Regulation of the Migration Advice Profession (November 2007)
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NLA Submission to the Finance & Public Administrative References Committee - Inquiry into the administrative review of veteran & military compensation & income support (August 2003)
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NLA Submission to the First Parliamentary Counsel , Migration Litigation Review - Migration Litigation Review (November 2003)
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NLA Submission to the Human Rights Branch, Attorney General's Department - Consultation on the Possible Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities-National Interest Analysis (April 2008)
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NLA Submission to the Legal & Constitutional Legislation - Submission on the Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Bill 2003 (May 2003)
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NLA Submission to The Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law-Senator the Hon Nick Sherry l APH - Public Exposure of National Consumer Credit Protection Bill 2009 (May 2009)
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NLA Submission to The NADRAC Secretariart - NADRAC Enquiry into Alternative Dispute Resolution and Civil Proceedings (May 2009)
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NLA Submission to the Productivity Commission - Review of Australia's Consumer Policy Framework, Productivity Commission Draft Report (March 2008)
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NLA Submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee - Inquiry into the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (August 2009)
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NLA Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs - Inquiry into the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Testing) Bill 2007 (July 2007)
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NLA Submission to the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Australian House of Representatives - Inquiry into Older People and The Law (December 2006)
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NLA Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission - Discussion Paper 73, Client Legal Privilege and Federal Investigatory Bodies (November 2007)
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NLA Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission - Issues Paper 33 - Client Legal Privilege and Federal Investigatory Bodies (June 2007)
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NLA Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission - Review of Sedition Laws Issues Paper (April 2006)
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NLA Submission to the Inquiry into Crime Amendment (Bail and Sentencing) Bill 2006, Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (September 2006)
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NLA Submission re Litigation Funding in Australia Discussion Paper, Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, May 2006 (September 2006)
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NLA Submission to ATSIS - Exposure Draft Purchasing Arrangements- Legal Services Contracts 2004-2007 for Legal Aid Services to Indigenous Australians (April 2004)
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NLA Submission to Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs - Inquiry into Access to Justice (May 2009)
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NLA Submission to the Administrative Review Council - Draft Report - Government Agency Coercive Information-Gathering Powers (March 2007)
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NLA Submission to the Indigenous Law and Justice Inquiry, Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (June 2004)
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NLA Submission to the Inquiry into the Provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill (No.2) 2005, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Australian Senate (November 2005)
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NLA Submission to the Senate Legal & Constitutional Committe - Senate Inquiry into Legal Aid and Access to Justice (October 2003)
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NLA Submission to the Senate Legal & Constitutional Committee - Security Legislation Review (February 2006)
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NLA Sumission to The LIA Review Secretariart, Attorney General's Department - Review of the Legislative Instruments Act (LIA) 2003 (May 2008)