annual report 08-09 - Public Interest Advocacy Centre

Bill 2009 (Cth). However, in a number of areas, PIAC concluded that
the Government’s reforms do not go far enough.
Inquiry into Australia’s Judicial System and the Role of Judges
(20 May 2009)
PIAC in this submission raised concerns about the increasing
tendency to appoint judges on a temporary basis and stated that
judicial tenure is central to the independence of the judiciary and
both the reality and appearance of impartiality in adjudication.
Justice - not a matter of charity: Submission to the Senate
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s Inquiry into
Access to Justice (20 May 2009)
PIAC in this submission examined the ability of people to access
legal representation and the adequacy of legal aid, with a particular
focus on homeless people and people with mental illness; the ability
of Indigenous people to access justice; the adequacy of funding
and resource arrangements for community legal centres; and
access to justice litigation issues, including costs in public interest
human rights cases, who has standing to sue and amicus curiae and
intervenors.
Hunter water prices: submission to IPART draft report on
prices for water, sewerage, stormwater and other services for
Hunter Water Corporation (22 May 2009)
PIAC endorsed the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal
(IPART) rejection of Hunter Water’s proposal to increase the typical
residential bill by 54 per cent but remained concerned that the
recommended 31 per cent increase represents a substantial burden
for customers.
Alternative dispute resolution in the civil justice system
(22 May 2009)
PIAC in this submission to NADRAC’s Inquiry into Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR) in the Civil Justice System recommended that
reforms should ensure that courts oversee compulsory ADR, that
parties participating in ADR have access to legal representation and
that ADR is not used as a substitute for an adequate court system.
Energy White Paper: response to Strategic Directions Paper
and discussion papers (29 May 2009)
In 2009, the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism began
consultation on the Energy White Paper by inviting comments on
the Strategic Directions for the Energy White Paper and six discussion
papers. The White Paper will guide energy policy, from exploration
through to end use, to 2030 and beyond. In this submission
PIAC expressed concern that the process is compromised by the
composition of its Consultative Committee and that this has led
to concerning positions in these documents, to the detriment of
consumers.
Achieving an inclusive society through human rights and
social justice: comments on the ALP 2009 Consultation Draft
National Platform (5 June 2009)
PIAC emphasised the need to ensure that consumer voices are
properly represented in policy development through open,
transparent and genuinely representative processes.
Improving government accountability through information
access: submission in response to the NSW Government’s
public consultation draft, Open Government Information
legislative package (5 June 2009)
In May 2009, the NSW Government released the Open Government
Information Bill 2009 (NSW), the Information Commissioner Bill
2009 (NSW) and the Open Government Information (Consequential
Amendments and Repeals) Bill 2009 (NSW). PIAC welcomed
these draft bills, which PIAC hopes will herald a new era of ‘open
government information’.
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PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCACY CENTRE • ANNUAL REPORT 2008-2009