ALRC releases Issues Papers on Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws

On 23 February, 2011, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) released the first in a series of four Issues Papers for its second Inquiry into Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws.

This inquiry focuses on the treatment of family violence in specific areas of Commonwealth law – including child support and family assistance law, immigration law, employment law, social security law, superannuation law and privacy law.

In the first of the Issues Paper, Family Violence—Employment and Superannuation (IP 36), the ALRC is asking: how can job search assistance provided through Job Services Australia be improved for victims of family violence; should the National Employment Standards, enterprise agreements or modern awards provide for the granting of family violence leave or other measures to assist victims of family violence; should family violence be better recognised as an occupational health and safety problem, where it affects the workplace; and how can superannuation law provide better protection to victims of family violence who may be coerced into transferring superannuation benefits or want early access to funds?

The first Issues Paper is available now to view or download from the ALRC’s website. Submissions addressing the questions in each Issues Papers may be made in writing, by email or using the ALRC’s online submission form. The closing date for submissions relating to Family Violence—Employment and Superannuation (IP 36) is 6 April 2011.

For more information, read the ALRC's media release here.