NCJ Number
74371
Date Published
1980
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The law reform discussed in this paper concerns the impact of science and technology upon the law and the changing social values in Australia.
Abstract
The public must be educated in law-related matters to provide the government with intelligent input on such topics as complaints against police; criminal investigation; alcohol, drugs, and driving; and insolvency. On all these issues, the Australian government is preparing to reform the existing laws and enact new bills. The author emphasizes that ordinary people -- not only lobbyists representing special interest groups -- must participate in the legislative process. The government is attempting to consult public opinion through polls and use of television, radio, talk-back programs, newspapers, magazines, and other media. While increasing numbers of young Australians are receiving formal law training, the public at large must also receive some form of law-related education. Community legal education faces such obstacles as the reluctance of the legal profession to popularize their special knowledge; the intricacies of local jurisdictional laws inaccessible even to many law practitioners; and funding problems. One solution recommended here is to have specially appointed officers summarize important court decisions and explain their significance to ordinary men and women.