Meeting of Attorneys-General

About the Meeting of Attorneys-General

In 2020, there was a Ministerial Review into former Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Councils and Forums including the Council of Attorneys-General (CAG). National Cabinet endorsed the review's recommendations for CAG to become a time-limited body and convene only when needed to progress up to 3 items of national priority, with specified sun-setting timeframes of no longer than 12 months.

The new body, known as the Meeting of Attorneys-General (MAG), comprises Attorneys-General from the Australian Government, all states and territories, and the New Zealand Minister for Justice. Its purpose is to implement a national and trans-Tasman focus on maintaining and promoting best practice in law reform.

The most recent Meeting of Attorneys-General was held on Friday 12 August 2022, in Melbourne, Victoria.

Contacting the Meeting of Attorneys-General

Correspondence can be sent to MAGSecretariat@ag.gov.au or:

Meeting of Attorneys-General (MAG)
3-5 National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600

Communiqués

The Meeting of Attorneys-General convenes annually, and may convene additional meetings when required to progress work items. Meeting communiqués are available below:

The Council of Attorneys-General met up to twice a year, including a joint meeting with the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management. Meeting communiqués are available below:

Consultations

Meeting of Attorneys-General, Stage 2 Review of the Model Defamation Provisions

New South Wales is leading a consultation process on Part A of the amendments to the Model Defamation Provisions (MDPs). Find out how you can have your say below.

Part A exposure draft amendments to the MDPs

Part A of the Stage 2 Review of the MDPs addresses the question of internet intermediary liability in defamation for the publication of third-party content. New South Wales leads the Part A work.

On 12 August 2022, the Meeting of Attorneys-General agreed to release the draft Part A Model Defamation Amendment Provisions and an accompanying background paper for public consultation. A summary paper is also available for ease of reference – it is a short extract of the background paper.

Interested individuals and organisations are invited to provide written submissions in response to these documents.

You can send your submissions by:

or

  • Mail – Policy, Reform & Legislation, NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Locked Bag 5000, Parramatta NSW 2124.

Submissions close Friday 9 September 2022.

Please note that NSW Department of Communities and Justice may publish submissions, unless otherwise advised. If you wish for your submission to remain confidential, please clearly identify this when you send them your submission.

If you are interested in participating in the consultation but are unable to make a written submission, contact defamationreview@justice.nsw.gov.au.

Secretariat contact details

Email: MAGSecretariat@ag.gov.au
3-5 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600

Related websites

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
NSW Department of Communities and Justice