Law Reform

Our Humanitarian team is committed to advocating on behalf of people new to Australia from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds, including humanitarian visa holders, asylum seekers, refugees and people who are otherwise disadvantaged in their access to legal services and who are located in Western Australia. 

Throughout the year, our Humanitarian team actively contributes to law reform by responding to invitations for comment by way of written submission and by regularly engaging with the sector.  

Our approach to law reform is holistic and comprehensive. Whilst addressing substantive legal issues we also bear in mind the context in which these changes would occur including giving due consideration to the unique and significant vulnerabilities of temporary visa holders, ensuring that they are able to access legal advice and assistance, access to a fair and informed legal process and for that legal process to remain relevant and fair. 

We look forward to continuing our law reform work and achieving our objective of contributing in a way that is trauma-informed and encourages an outcome that is equitable, creates positive change and an inclusive community where people new to Australia from disadvantaged and CaLD backgrounds understand their rights, are able to access justice and are treated with equality and dignity. 

Please find below the submissions made by the team that have been provided to key stakeholders for review and consideration. 

Input on SPT Draft General Comment on Article 4 OPCAT (PDF) April 2023.