Current Projects

In May 1996 the Council decided that its ongoing role should be:

... to ensure that the administrative decision-making processes of the Commonwealth Government are correct according to law and accord with administrative law values, by working with all relevant interests — political, bureaucratic and community based.

Those administrative law values include: fairness; honesty; transparency; and, ensuring that decisions are correct or preferable.

The Councils vision is consistent with the view that the Council took of its operations in 1976, but recognises the changing face of government, and the fact that the Commonwealth system of administrative review is now an accepted part of Australian governance.

Administrative decisions in areas of complex and specific business regulation

The Council has recently received terms of reference from the Attorney-General for a review of administrative decisions in areas of complex and specific business regulation. Preliminary work has commenced on the project.

Coercive Investigative Powers Project

The Council is currently working on a project concerning the investigative powers of government agencies. The project involves an assessment of the powers used to obtain information — whether through documents or through answers to questions — that do not require the agency involved to apply for a court order. The primary objective is to determine whether great consistency in the use of these powers across government is either desirable or achievable. The Council will also consider the accountability mechanisms associated with the exercise of the powers and the protections available to individuals against whom the powers might be exercised.

The Administrative Review Council has finalised a draft of its report on Government Agency Coercive Information Gathering Powers. The draft report can be downloaded through the following link: