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Fourth Quarter

235/2007 - 12 October 2007 - New Guidelines update ASIO accountability
ASIO has been issued with new Guidelines by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock relating to the Organisation’s functions of obtaining intelligence relevant to security and politically motivated violence.

232/2007 - 5 October 2007 - Labor has No Plan on National Security
Labor has conceded that it has no national security plan and will not have one for at least 12 months, Attorney General Philip Ruddock said today.

231/2007 - 5 October 2007 - Appointment of new Federal Magistrates
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointments of Magistrate Margaret Cassidy and Judge Jillian Orchiston as Federal Magistrates.

230/2007 - 5 October 2007 - Appointment of new Family Court judge
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr Stuart Fowler AM as a judge of the Family Court of Australia.

229/2007 - 5 October 2007 - Appointment to the Administrative Review Council
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Brigadier William Douglas Rolfe (retired), as a part-time member of the Administrative Review Council (ARC).

228/2007 - 5 October 2007 - Professor appointed to NADRAC
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Professor Nadja Alexander to the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC).

227/2007 - 5 October 2007 - Labor Fails to Grasp Reality of International Law
Labor is trying to delude the community by committing to legal actions on Japanese whaling and the Iranian President it will not be able to fulfil, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

225/2007 - 3 October 2007 - World-Leading Computer Program to Protect Critical Infrastructure
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said a computer program to better prepare Australian businesses and communities for natural or manmade disasters is now 'open for business'.

224/2007 - 2 October 2007 - Important New Resource for North Ryde Families
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock welcomed Prime Minister John Howard's official launch of the North Ryde Family Relationship Centre today.

Third Quarter

221/2007 - 27 September 2007 - National Native Title Tribunal member reappointed
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the reappointment of Daniel O’Dea as a member of the National Native Title Tribunal.

220/2007 - 27 September 2007 - New appointments to the Family Law Council
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced four appointments to the Family Law Council.

219/2007 - 27 September 2007 - New appointment to Australian Law Reform Commission
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment a new part-time member of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC).

218/2007 - 27 September 2007 - Appointment to Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr Steve Karas AO as a part-time senior member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

217/2007 - 27 September 2007 - Government re-lists Terrorist Organisation
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today that the Australian Government had re-listed the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code.

216/2007 - 26 September 2007 - RE-Appointment to Defence Discipline Appeal Tribunal
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the re-appointment of Justice Kevin Duggan AM RFD as a Member of the Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal.

215/2007 - 26 September 2007 - Appointment of New Family Court Judge
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr Peter Murphy SC as a judge of the Family Court of Australia.

214/2007 - 26 September 2007 - Appointment of New Federal Magistrate
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Ms Susan Purdon-Sully as a Federal Magistrate, based in Brisbane.

213/2007 - 26 September 2007 - New Judges for Federal Court of Australia
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointments of four new judges to the Federal Court.

212/2007 - 24 September 2007 - Australia to take part in US Counter-Terrorism Exercise
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced Australia will take part in a United States counter-terrorism exercise for the first time next month.

210/2007 - 24 September 2007 - Australian Law Reform Commission to examine FOI laws
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock will ask the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to examine Freedom of Information (FOI) laws and practice across Australia.

207/2007 - 20 September 2007 - Australians Now Protected From Material Advocating Terrorist Acts
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today welcomed the passage of the Classification Amendment (Terrorist Material) Bill 2007 in the Senate. The Bill amends the Classification Act so that material that advocates terrorist acts must be refused classification.

206/2007 - 19 September 2007 - Australian wins international award for bioterrorism research
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today congratulates Sydney University Professor Raina MacIntyre who has received an international award for her world-first system to help combat bioterrorism.

205/2007 - 20 September 2007 - Over 500 Million in International Legal Services Activity
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today welcomed a new survey of Australian legal services, which showed $543.2 million in export and cross border activity for the 2004-05 financial year.

204/2007 - 17 September 2007 - Improving Northern Territory regional legal aid services
The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission will be using an additional $340,000 of Commonwealth funds to strengthen its regional legal aid services in the Northern Territory, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

200/2007 - 12 September 2007 - Attorney-General Welcomes Discussion Paper on Privacy
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today welcomed the release of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) discussion paper on privacy which puts forward numerous proposals for amendments to privacy laws.

199/2007 - 12 September 2007 - Appointments to Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced two new appointments and two re-appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

198/2007 - 10 September 2007 - New judicial appointments to Copyright Tribunal
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of two Federal Court judges to the Copyright Tribunal of Australia – Justice Arthur Robert Emmett as the President and Justice James Leslie Bain Allsop as a Deputy President. Both appointments begin on 11 October and run for three years.

197/2007 - 10 September 2007 - Re-listing of three terrorist organisations
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today that the Australian Government has taken steps to re-list Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas’ Brigades), the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code.

196/2007 - 06 September 2007 - APEC Tackles Corruption with Code of Conduct for Business
A new APEC Code of Conduct for Business, to help combat corruption in the region, was launched by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today.

195/2007 - 7 September 2007 - Northern Territory National Emergency Response - New laws banning pornography
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced that new laws prohibiting the possession and supply of pornographic material in prescribed areas within the Northern Territory will come into effect from 14 September.

194/2007 - 6 September 2007 - APEC Ministers Endorse Data Privacy Initiative
APEC Ministers today endorsed the APEC Data Privacy Pathfinder initiative which will result in the establishment of an effective system to protect an individual’s personal information throughout the APEC region.

193/2007 - 6 September 2007 - Australia-China International Crime Cooperation Strengthened
International crime cooperation between Australia and the People's Republic of China has been strengthened following today's signature of treaties on extradition and the transfer of sentenced persons.

192/2007 - 3 September 2007 - States Sabotage National Electronic Conveyancing System
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today expressed disappointment in the failure of the states and territories to cooperate in efforts to create a national electronic conveyancing system.

191/2007 - 3 September 2007 - New Resource to Help Asia-Pacific Businesses Manage Disputes
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the release of a booklet titled Managing Cross-Border Disputes to help businesses planning and preparing for possible dispute resolution when negotiating contracts in the APEC region.

187/2007 - 30 August 2007 - New Measures to Control Plastic Explosives
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock was pleased to announce today the introduction of new measures to regulate plastic explosives in Australia. 

186/2007 - 29 August 2007 - Final security preparations for APEC
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today oversaw final security preparations for next week’s APEC Economic Leaders Forum in Sydney - including the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and NSW Police, outlining the ADF’s security assistance.

185/2007 - 29 August 2007 - Australians urged to protect their identity
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today launched National Identity Fraud Awareness Week in a bid to increase Australians’ awareness of identity theft.

184/2007 - 29 August 2007 - Figures Show Cultural Change in Family Law
New figures show that Family Relationship Centres are helping people to resolve their differences outside of the court system, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

182/2007 - 24 August 2007 - Joint Media Release - Contract for New ASIO and ONA Office Planning
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration, announced today that Bovis Lend Lease had been awarded the Managing Contractor Contract for the planning phase of the new central office for ASIO and the Office of National Assessments (ONA).

180/2007 - 22 August 2007 - Appointment of new Director of Public Prosecutions
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr Christopher Craigie SC as Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. 

179/2007 - 20 August 2007 - Greater disaster preparedness encouraged in APEC economies
Emergency management CEOs attending an APEC task force on emergency preparedness have been encouraged to cooperate across the region on developing greater preparedness for disasters.

178/2007 - 17 August 2007 - Action on Alleged Film Piracy of The Simpsons
An investigation in relation to alleged piracy of The Simpsons Movie, demonstrates the Government is serious about protecting creative works Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

176/2007 - 27 August 2007 - Open Tender to provide North Queensland Indigenous Legal Aid
The Australian Government is calling for tenders from organisations that are committed to bringing legal aid services to Indigenous communities in North Queensland.

175/2007 - 15 August 2007 - LABOR ON TERROR: ‘AMEN’ NO MORE
Rudd Labor has deviated from its typical refrain of ‘Amen’ to Howard Government policy and has moved to weaken terrorism legislation.

174/2007 - 15 August 2007 - International Legal Advisory Council Made Permanent Body
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today the Australian Government would make the International Legal Services Advisory Council (ILSAC) a permanent body.

173/2007 - 13 August 2007 - Assistance for Government Decision Makers
The Australian Government is committed to quality decision making by public officers, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

172/2007 - 13 August 2007 - Justice Kiefel Appointed to High Court
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has announced that the Hon Justice Susan Kiefel has been appointed as the next Justice of the High Court of Australia.

171/2007 - 13 August 2007 - Privacy for Residential Tennants
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock was pleased to announce today that regulations to extend the coverage of the Privacy Act 1988 to all Residential Tenancy Databases were complete.

170/2007 - 13 August 2007 - New Explosives Detection Dogs to Boost Security for APEC
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today launched 22 new explosives detection canine teams to significantly boost security in the lead up to APEC.

169/2007 - 13 August 2007 - National Security Hotline reaches 100,000 calls
The National Security Hotline continues to play a vital role in Australia’s national counter-terrorism arrangements, with calls from members of the public now having passed the 100,000 mark.

168/2007 - 9 August 2007 - New Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Broderick as the Sex Discrimination Commissioner to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

166/2007 - 7 August 2007 - Australian Government commits help to find Man missing in North Queensland bush
Defence force personnel have been tasked to assist emergency services officers in a ground search for a missing person in Far North Queensland.

165/2007 - 7 August 2007 - Clearer Guidance for Courts on Relocation Cases
The Government has committed to insert provisions within the Family Law Act to provide courts with greater clarity on how to deal with relocation issues arising out of custody arrangements.

164/2007 - 7 August 2007 - Further Support for People Affected by Child Abduction
The Australian Government will provide further support to persons affected by international parental child abduction by granting $145,000 to the International Social Service (ISS) Australia, Attorney‑General Philip Ruddock announced today.

163/2007 - 7 August 2007 - Greater Access to Legal Infomation
Australians will have greater access to legal information after Attorney‑General Philip Ruddock today announced a $50,000 grant to the Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII).

162/2007 - 6 August 2007 - Australia hosts international criminal court prosecutor
Australia will play host to the prosecutor leading investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Africa this week.

161/2007 - 5 August 2007 - Commonwealth Funds Aviation Support for APEC
The ability to patrol the skies, to ensure the safety of Australians and overseas guests during APEC has been given a multimillion dollar boost by the Australian Government.

159/2007 - 2 August 2007 - Inaugural National Security for a Diverse Community Forum
Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock opened the first National Security for a Diverse Community Forum in Canberra today, actively working to enhance relationships within Australia’s diverse population.

157/2007 - 27 July 2007 - Labor states fail to act on material advocating terrorism
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today expressed strong disappointment that agreement could not be reached with State and Territory Censorship Ministers to toughen laws that deal with materials advocating acts of terror.

156/2007 - 25 July 2007 - Rescue Helicopter Retrieval in Queensland
The Australian Government has agreed to help the Queensland Government recover a rescue helicopter which made a forced landing in far north Queensland early Monday morning.

155/2007 - 24 July 2007 - WA Attorney-General Misleads Over Legal Challenge
The WA Attorney-General has distorted facts over the legal proceedings in relation to the Swan Valley Nyungah Camp, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

154/2007 - 24 July 2007 - Remote Indigenous Communities to Benefit from Emergency Management Plan
A new strategy to prioritise support to remote Indigenous Communities in times of natural disaster has been unveiled today by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock at the coastal Indigenous community of Bidyadanga in Western Australia.

153/2007 - 23 July 2007 - New appointment of Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr Andrew Phelan as Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court of Australia.

152/2007 - 23 July 2007 - New Deputy Director of Classification Board
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Ms Olya Booyar as Deputy Director of the Classification Board.

150/2007 - 19 July 2007 - Australian Government to target cyber-crime
Australian computer users will benefit from a range of e-security projects aimed at protecting them and their information from cyber-attack, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

149/2007 - 18 July 2007 - $13.8 Million for Communities and Emergency Volunteers
Local communities and emergency services volunteers across Australia will share a $13.8 million funding boost in the latest round of the Australian Government's Working Together to Manage Emergencies initiative.

148/2007 - 18 July 2007 - Australian Government - Business Government Advisory Group Communique
The fourth Business-Government Advisory Group on National Security meeting was held in Canberra today. 

147/2007 - 17 July 2007 - Government and Business Leaders to discuss National Security
Senior government ministers will meet with key Australian business leaders tomorrow to discuss the nation's ongoing fight against terrorism.

146/2007 - 16 July 2007 - Australia Welcomes Cambodian Counter-Terrorism Law
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer have today welcomed news that the Cambodian Parliament has passed its Law on Counter-Terrorism.

145/2007 - 11 July 2007 - Australia's former High Court building heritage listed
Australia’s High Court building from 1928 to 1980 was today awarded Australia’s highest heritage honour, inclusion in the National Heritage List, which was announced today by the Attorney-General, Phillip Ruddock and the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull.

143/2007 - 9 July 2007 - New services for regional Australia 
Separated parents and their children in 14 regional communities will be assisted through a new educational program opening next year, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

142/2007 - 9 July 2007 - Amendments to support debt agreements commence 
Amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1966 that will significantly improve the operation of debt agreements have now commenced.

141/2007 - 6 July 2007 - Police execute search warrants in WA 
As part of an ongoing investigation into the recent attacks in London and Glasgow, four search warrants have been executed in WA last night and today.

140/2007 - 6 July 2007 - Clarification on Bropho/Swan Valley Nyungah Case
Despite newspaper reports to the contrary, no funding has been granted by the Federal Government for any ongoing legal challenge to the closure of the Swan Valley Indigenous camp in WA.

137/2007 - 4 July 2007- More Commonwealth support to NSW Police for APEC
High performance jet skis and rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBS) have been provided by the Howard Government to NSW Police to enhance marine security arrangements for APEC, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

136/2007 - 4 July 2007 - Better access to legal aid for the East Kimberley
The Australian Government will provide $1 million to fund the establishment of a new legal aid office in Kununurra, Western Australia, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

134/2007 - 3 July 2007 - Statement on UK terrorist attacks
Acting on advice from UK authorities, the AFP and Queensland Police detained a 27-year-old Brisbane man last night (Monday July 2 2007) at Brisbane Airport.

133/2007 - 2 July 2007 - New Family Relationship Centres open across Australia
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock will today launch a new Family Relationship Centre in Wagga Wagga – one of 25 new Family Relationship Centres that open their doors today.

132/2007 - 2 July 2007 - Intelligence Centre Opened to Combat Terrorism
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty today opened the AFP's ground-breaking Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Data Centre in Canberra.

130/2007 - 1 July 2007 - Government Response to Glasgow Airport Incident
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today condemned the attack at Glasgow Airport, UK.

Second Quarter 

129/2007 - 30 June 2007 - Sandbags Sent to Help Flooded Victorians
The Australian Government is sending 30,000 sandbags to help the Victoria State Emergency Service protect homes in the path of the severe flooding that is occurring in the south Gippsland region of the state.

128/2007 - 30 June 2007 - Government Respone to London Car Bombs
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today condemned the actions of those responsible for planting two car bombs in central London.

127/2007 - 29 June 2007 - New Judge appointed to the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island
Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Justice Peter Jacobson as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island.

126/2007 - 29 June 2007 - Satellite to Assist Victoria Map Flooding
The Australian Government is helping the Victorian emergency services track South Gippsland flooding as it spreads towards south coast communities

125/2007 - 29 June 2007 - Australia and Greece Work Together on Recognition of Family Law Orders
The Australian Government will work with Greece towards introducing mutual recognition of family law orders, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

124/2007 - 28 June 2007 - Bond University's New Legal Skills Centre Officially Opened
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock officially opened a new Legal Skills Centre at Bond University today.

123/2007 - 28 June 2007  - New appointments to Copyright Tribunal       
The Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced two new appointments to the Copyright Tribunal – Federal Magistrate Rolf Driver and Dr Hugh Sibly, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Tasmania.

122/2007 - 27 June 2007 - Working together to further the rights of people with disabilities
The Australian Government today reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the rights of people with disabilities are protected.

121/2007 - 25 June 2007 - Harvey/McManus Case
Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock welcomed the news today that Herald Sun journalists Michael Harvey and Gerard McManus did not receive a custodial sentence for refusing to reveal a confidential news source.

120/2007 - 25 June 2007 - APEC works towards pilot intitiative for cross-border privacy rules
Delegates at an APEC conference in Cairns today will discuss pilot projects to test how to best protect the transfer of personal information within the Asia-Pacific region while minimising further regulatory burden on business.

119/2007 - 22 June 2007 - ACT Response to Action to Protect Indigenous Children Disappointing
Federal Attorney General Philip Ruddock today expressed disappointment over the ACT Chief Minister’s objections to the Howard Government’s National Emergency Response to protect Aboriginal Children in the NT.

118/2007 - 22 June 2007 - Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner appointed
Attorney General Philip Ruddock today welcomed the appointment of the Integrity Commissioner who will oversee the investigation of corruption in federal law enforcement agencies.

117/2007 - 22 June 2007 - Deputy President reappointed to Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the reappointment of the Honourable Christopher Reginald Wright QC as a part-time Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

116/2007 - 21 June 2007 - Report on Same-Sex Discrimination Tabled
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s report Same-Sex: Same Entitlements was tabled in Parliament today by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

115/2007 - 20 June 2007 - Australian Government Funds QLD Emergency Response Exercise
Queensland Police will conduct the forensic examination of a mock crime scene as part of the Australian Government's $53.6 million national counter-terrorism exercise programme, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

114/2007 - 19 June 2007 - Attorney-General Acts on Material Advocating Terrorism
Classification laws will soon be better able to deal with material that encourages people to commit terrorist acts, Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

113/2007 - 19 June 2007 - Attorney-General to push for Harmonisation of Administrative Law
The harmonisation of administrative law will be put on the agenda at the next meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.

112/2007 - 18 June 2007 - Attorney-General welcomes HREOC plan to combat extremism
A series of important initiatives to be undertaken by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) to build social cohesion and combat extremism has been announced today by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

111/2007 - 15 June 2007 - New Measures Protect Journalists and Sources
Commonwealth and ACT courts will soon be able to protect confidential communications between journalists and their sources following passage of reforms to the Evidence Act 1995 by the Australian Parliament, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

110/2007 - 14 June 2007 - Native Title and Social Justice Reports tabled
The Native Title Report 2006 and Social Justice Report 2006 were tabled in Parliament, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

109/2007 - 14 June 2007 - Tougher stance against corruption and sanction avoidance
The Government has shown its commitment today to strong action against the contravention of UN sanctions regimes and against foreign bribery with the introduction of new legislation to Parliament.

108/2007 - 13 June 2007 -  Attorney acknowledges Indonesian anti-terror success
Indonesian authorities have achieved a major success with the arrest of a Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist leader Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

107/2007 - 12 June 2007 -  Professinal Associations and Judicial Appointments
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said he was surprised and disappointed that the Australian Bar Association President had not sought to discuss the issue of judicial appointments before criticising the Government.

106/2007 - 8 June 2007 - Four New Federal Magistrates Appointed
Four new Federal Magistrates have been appointed to the Federal Magistrates Court, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

105/2007 - 6 June 2007 - $1.3 Million Proceeds of Crime Shared with Lebanon
Australia and Lebanon will share $1.3 million of confiscated proceeds of crime from a tobacco excise fraud, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

104/2007 - 31 May 2007 - Ngarla Native Title Determiniation
A consent determination of native title over part of the Pilbara region in Western Australia demonstrates the value of a cooperative mediated approach to native title, Attorney General Philip Ruddock said today.

103/2007 - 29 May 2007 - New Service to Assist Separating and Separated Families
A telephone service to provide separating and separated parents with access to dispute resolution has moved a step closer with the selection of the preferred provider, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Minister for Human Services, Senator Chris Ellison announced today.

102/2007 - 29 May 2007 - AAT Deputy President Reappointed
Howard William Olney QC has been reappointed as a part-time Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

101/2007 - 25 May 2007- Trans-Tasman legal cooperation set to improve
Businesses and individuals involved in trans-Tasman civil legal cases are set to benefit from reforms that will make the legal process easier and more affordable.

100/2007 - 24 May 2007 - Terrorist Organisation Re-listed
The Australian Government has re-listed Hizballah’s External Security Organisation (ESO) as a terrorist organisation, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

099/2007 - 24 May 2007 - Reforms to Project Journalists and Sources
Reforms to evidence law will protect confidential communications between journalists and their sources, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

098/2007 - 23 May 2007 - Boost for Family Violence Prevention
Indigenous communities in the remote regions of the Tennant Creek Local Government Area will soon have increased access to legal and support services, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

097/2007 - 23 May 2007 - Research Grant Aids Protection Against Bio-Terrorism
A gel to contain and neutralise biological hazards will be further developed through an Australian Government research grant, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

096/2007 - 22 May 2007 - Lessons of London Bombings will help Australia
Governments at all levels will benefit from a report, released today by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, on the lessons learned from the London bombings of July 2005.

095/2007 - 20 May 2007 - David Hicks Returned to Australia
David Hicks was returned to Australia today following his transfer from Guantanamo Bay under the international transfer of prisoners scheme.

094/2007 - 17 May 2007 - Australian Government Support to NSW Police for APEC
A state-of-the-art mobile command post has been provided to New South Wales as part of enhanced security measures ahead of APEC Leaders Week, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

093/2007 - 17 May 2007 - APEC Security Preparations Undergo Testing
An exercise testing high-level decision-making during security incidents is taking place in Sydney as part of preparations for APEC Leaders Week, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

092/2007 - 15 May 2007 - Australian Families Embrace Family Law Reforms
Figures released today show demand for Family Relationship Centre services continued to be high in the first quarter of this year.

091/2007 - 11 May 2007 - Improved Access to Government Intellectual Property
Business should have more opportunities to commercialise intellectual property (IP) developed under government contracts after the adoption of a new Government IP policy, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

090/2007 - 11 May 2007 - Successful Mediation Leads To Repatriation Of Remains
Aboriginal remains held in London will be repatriated to Tasmania within days, following successful mediation, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Family, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough announced today.

089/2007 - 10 May 2007 - Opposition Acknowledges Government on Track
The Opposition has acknowledged the progress being made by the Coalition in important areas of law reform Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

088/2007 - 9 May 2007 - Telecommumications Interception Aids Prosecution
Telecommunications interception is a valuable aid to prosecuting crime, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said after the release of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2006

Budget - 8 May 2007 - Law and Justice Overview
The Australian Government has demonstrated its commitment to a just and secure society with the provision of $1.1 billion in additional funding over five years for a range of initiatives including national security, law enforcement and family law.

Budget - 8 May 2007 - Boost for Legal Aid
People living in rural Australia and separated families will receive greater assistance with additional funding being provided for legal aid Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

Budget - 8 May 2007 - $35.7 Million to Fund National Security Measures
Increased resources to protect the community against terrorist activities have been announced by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock in the 2007-08 Budget.

Budget - 8 May 2007 - E-Security Strengthened
With millions of people and organisations turning to the Internet and other electronic communication, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has announced greater efforts to protect those activities, allowing people to operate with greater confidence.

Budget - 8 May 2007 - Helping Separated Parents and their Children
A greater focus on the needs and role of children in situations of family breakdown is a significant feature of additional family law funding announced by the Attorney-General Philip Ruddock in the 2007-08 Budget.

Budget - 8 May 2007 - More Resources to Stop Piracy and Counterfeiting
The creative and intellectual efforts of Australian companies and individuals will be better protected from theft with extra resources being provided by the Government to tackle counterfeiters and pirates.

Budget - 8 May 2007 - Personal Property Securities Reform
The Australian Government will provide $113.3 million over five years to harmonise Australia’s personal property security laws in one Commonwealth Act and develop a single national online register of personal property security interests.

080/2007 - 7 May 2007 - Regional Pilot Shows Promising Results for Parents
A pilot project aimed at helping separated parents in high-conflict situations understand the impact their actions have on their children has produced promising results, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

079/2007 - 3 May 2007 - Appeal to high court - takeovers panel litigation
The Takeovers Panel plays a vital and integral role in resolving takeovers-related disputes during the bid period. It provides interested parties with an efficient means of resolving disputes without costly and time-consuming litigation.

078/2007 - 3 May 2007 - Government Goes Further than Cole Report
The Government will strengthen foreign bribery laws to help enforce United Nations sanctions as part of its response to recommendations of the Cole Commission, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

077/2007 - 3 May 2007 - Action on Material Advocating Terrorism
Community concern over material that advocates terrorism will be swiftly addressed through new laws, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

076/2007 - 2 May 2007 - Third Personal Property Securities Discussion Paper Released
Uniform law making it easier for people to use a wider range of their assets to secure loans has moved a step closer, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

075/2007 - 26 April 2007 - Reappointment of Part-time Administrative Review Member
Mr Ian Carnell has been reappointed as a part-time member of the Administrative Review Council, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

074/2007 - 26 April 2007 - New Director for Classification Board
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr Donald McDonald AC as Director of the Classification Board.

073/2007 - 26 April 2007 - Australia to Join Internet Copyright Treaties
Australia will mark World Intellectual Property Day by joining two international treaties aimed at boosting copyright protection for material on the Internet, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

072/2007 - 26 April 2007 - Launch of Maritime and Transport Arbitration Commission
Australia is poised to become an international leader in maritime law with the establishment of a specialist arbitration commission, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

071/2007 - 26 April 2007 - Joint Law venture in Singapore - A positive first step
An Australian law firm has signed the first joint law venture with a Singaporean firm in a clear demonstration of the benefits of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).

070/2007 - 24 April 2007 - Australia to test cyber security in terrorism exercise
Building on the success of last year's Exercise Cyber Storm, Australia will join the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada in Exercise Cyber Storm II during March next year.

069/2007 - 22 April 2007 - Mediation for Aboriginal remains dispute
The dispute over Aboriginal remains held by a London museum is a step closer to resolution with the parties having agreed to enter mediation, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

068/2007 - 18 April 2007 - Agreement on personal property securities reform
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has welcomed the in-principle agreement by the States and Territories to back the creation of a single, national register for loans secured by personal property.

067/2007 - 17 April 2007 - Native title tribunal deputy president reappointed
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has announced the reappointment of Christopher Sumner AM as a Deputy President of the National Native Title Tribunal.

066/2007 - 17 April 2007 - New requirements for family dispute resolution
The Government has announced new regulations that will govern the introduction of compulsory dispute resolution in custody cases and the accreditation of family dispute resolution practitioners.

065/2007 - 17 April 2007 - Selection process for family relationship services
Details of the next selection process for organisations seeking funding for family relationship services have been announced today by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough.

064/2007 - 15 April 2007 - States Should Agree to New Test for Terrorism Material
Attorney General Philip Ruddock will ask the States and Territories to urgently approve changes to censorship laws after revelations that videos praising terrorism had been given a PG rating.

063/2007 - 13 April 2007 - Increased Coronial Co-Operation in Australia
Formal arrangements for coroners across Australia to work together are a step closer after the States and Territories reached agreement at a meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General in Canberra.

062/2007 - 13 April 2007 - Progress Made on Surrogacy Laws
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock welcomed the continuation of work to harmonise State
and Territory laws that govern surrogacy.

061/2007 - 13 April 2007 - Appointment of Federal Court Judge
Attorney‑General Philip Ruddock has announced the appointment of Michelle Gordon SC as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

059/2007 - 11 April 2007 - Government acknowledges Pru Goward's contribution
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has recognised the significant contribution of Pru Goward to advancing human rights and gender equality in Australia.

058/2007 - 10 April 2007 - Control of chemicals of security concern paper attracts widespread comment
A discussion paper on how best to control chemicals assessed to have security concern has received widespread public comment over the past three months, the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said today.

057/2007 - 3 April 2007 - Queensland Government Brinksmanship
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today said the Queensland Government appeared to be more interested in brinkmanship than resolution over telecommunications interception (TI) laws.

056/2007 - 3 April 2007 - Strathpine Family Relationship Centre launched
The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock and Federal Member for Dickson, Peter Dutton will officially launch Brisbane’s first Family Relationship Centre today.

055/2007 - 2 April 2007 - Re-listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e Jhangvi, Asbat al Ansar, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Army of Aden as terrorist organisations
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today the Australian Government had taken steps to re-list six terrorist organisations.

First Quarter

054/2007 - 31 March 2007 - Preparation for the return of David Hicks
Arrangements are being put in place for David Hicks to serve out his sentence in Australia, following the seven year term imposed by the United States Military Commission.

053/2007 - 30 March 2007 - Personal Property Securities discussion paper released
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today released the second discussion paper on the reform of Australia’s personal property securities laws for public comment.

052/ 2007 - 30 March 2007 - Gunditjmara native title determination
A determination of native title over part of western Victoria has been reached with the consent of all parties, including the Australian Government, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

051/2007 - 30 March 2007 - Legislation to improve the Native Title System

Parties in the native title system will have more opportunities to achieve efficient and enduring outcomes following the passage of new legislation by the Australian Parliament this week, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

050/2007 - 30 March 2007 - Australia among first to sign UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Attorney-General, and the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs are pleased to announce that Australia will sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in a formal ceremony opening the Convention for signature to be held on 30 March 2007 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

049/2007 - 30 March 2007 - Appointment of new federal magistrate
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Ms Janet Terry as a federal magistrate.

048/2007 - 29 March 2007 - Tightening national security with background checks
The Australian Government has again delivered on its commitment to national security by passing legislation to enhance background checking in the aviation and maritime sectors, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today

047/2007 - 27 March 2007 - Scams target you : Protect your identity
The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator David Johnston, today warned Australians to be alert to scams that involve attempts to steal their identity.

046/2007 - 26 March 2007 - Re-listing of Ansar al-Sunna as a terrorist organisation
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today that the Australian Government had taken steps to re-list Ansar al-Sunna (also known as Ansar al-Islam) as a terrorist organisation.

045/2007 - 14 March 2007 - Chinese Lawyers improve ties with Australia
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock celebrated the commencement of the Australia-China Legal Profession Development program today, by sharing lunch with 10 lawyers from China

044/2007 - 13 March 2007 - New family violence prevention units in WA
Indigenous communities in rural and remote regions of Western Australia will soon have increased access to legal and support services, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

043/2007 - 10 March 2007 - Detention Centre Houses People Displaced by Cyclone
Port Hedland's immigration detention centre has been opened to house up to 120 residents of the town displaced by Cyclone George, as a second big storm to hit the region this week, Cyclone Jacob, approaches the coast.

042/2007 - 6 March 2007 - International child abduction talks with Indonesia
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has encouraged Indonesia to consider developing a bilateral agreement with Australia that would establish a framework for handling parental child abduction disputes.

041/2007 - 4 March 2007 - Scams take $1 billion-plus toll on consumers
Australians continue to fall prey to the criminal activities of fraudsters and scammers as unprecedented numbers of sophisticated swindlers bombard us with electronic, phone and postal scams.

040/2007 - 1 March 2007 - Better Access for Australian Lawyers in the US
A resolution by the United States Conference of Chief Justices urging improved access for Australian lawyers in the US has been welcomed by the Australian Government.

039/2007 - 1 March 2007 - Appointment of Two Commonwealth Queen's Counsel
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of David Charles Bennett and Thomas Michael Howe as Commonwealth Queen's Counsel.

038/2007 - 26 February 2007 - Counter-terrorism program gets $3.6 million boost
Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, today announced another $3.6 million in funding to extend Australia’s comprehensive counter-terrorism exercise program.

037/2007 - 25 February 2007 - Funding Boost for Community Legal Services
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced a $1million funding boost for the Commonwealth Community Legal Services Program.

036/2007 - 24 February 2007 - New Services Keep Focus on Children
The Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the organisations that have been invited to operate eight new Parenting Orders Programs and nine new Children's Contact Services.

035/2007 - 23 February 2007 - Rudd should be Straight with Australia on David Hicks
The Opposition Leader, Kevin R udd, continues to perpetuate the fallacy that David Hicks can face trial in Australia.

034/2007 - 22 February 2007 - New appointments to the Family Law Council
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has appointed Deputy Chief Justice John Faulks, Federal Magistrate Norah Hartnett and Federal Magistrate Robyn Sexton to the Family Law Council.

033/2007 - 21 February 2007 - Government to intervene in indigenous remains case
The Australian Government will seek to intervene in the court case which aims to stop the Natural History Museum in London testing or interfering with the human remains of 17 deceased Indigenous Tasmanians.

032/2007 - 21 February 2007 - Security planning on track for APEC meeting in Darwin
A counter-terrorism exercise in Darwin this week is an important part of preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting to be held in May, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

031/2007 - 19 February 2007 - Re-listing of Al-Zarqawi (tanzim qa'idat al-jihad fi bilad al-rafidayn) as a Terrorist Organisation
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today that the Australian Government had taken steps to re-list Tanzim Qa'idat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn as a terrorist organisation.

030/2007 - 16 February 2007 - Appointment to the Classification Board
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr Daryn Nickols as a Senior Classifier of the Classification Board.

029/2007 - 15 February 2007 - Appointment of New Federal Magistrate
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Ms Charlotte Kelly as a federal magistrate.

028/2007 - 15 February 2007 - Government acts to improve debt agreements
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today introduced legislation into Parliament to improve the operation of debt agreements.

027/2007 - 15 February 2007 - NSW Community Legal Centres funding review
Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and NSW Attorney-General Bob Debus today released the report of the Review of the NSW Community Legal Centres Funding Program.

026/2007 - 13 February 2007 - Protecting journalists - Labor wrong on delay
Labor has got it wrong again in blaming the Federal Government for a delay in laws to protect the confidential sources of journalists, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

025/2007 - 8 February 2007 - Telecommunications Amendment Bill out for comment
Law enforcement agencies, telecommunications service providers and the public have the chance to comment on a draft bill that aims to simplify the legislative regime covering telecommunications interception and access to communications data, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

024/2007 - 8 February 2007 - Labor wrong again on David Hicks
The Labor Party has again misrepresented the Government’s position on David Hicks, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

023/2007 - 7 February 2007 - States should work on cutting red tape
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today welcomed comments by the Business Council of Australia on the need to push the States to cut red tape on business.

022/07 - 6 February 2007 - ACT Civil Partnerships Bill does not remove concerns
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has informed the ACT that the Commonwealth would recommend that the Governor-General disallow the Civil Partnerships Bill 2006 (ACT) in its current form.

021/2007 - 3 February 2007 - David Hicks: charges outlined
The Australian Government welcomes the move by the United States to charge David Hicks.

020/2007 - 2 February 2007 - Reappointment of NADRAC chairperson
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has reappointed the chairperson of the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC), the Hon Justice Murray Kellam AO.

019/2007 - 29 January 2007 - Labor wants Hicks to Avoid Prosecution
The Attorney General, Philip Ruddock, said today that Labor had shown it did not see any need for David Hicks to face prosecution.

018/2007 - 24 January 2007 - Expansion of Family Relationship Services on track
The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, today announced the organisations which have been selected to operate the next 25 Family Relationship Centres

017/2007 - 22 January 2007 - NSW Police powers on text messages
NSW police have effective and wide-ranging powers to intercept or retrieve text messages sent over mobile phones, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today

016/2007 - 21 January 2007 - Closer security ties with Pakistan India
The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has held important discussions on counter-terrorism and law enforcement in his week-long visit to Pakistan and India.

015/2007 - 21 January 2007 - Attorney General raises child abduction with India Pakistan
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has continued his push to ensure legal frameworks are in place to handle international child abduction disputes during his visit over the past week to Pakistan and India.

014/2007 - 21 January 2007 - Attorney General presses India on privacy data
India is moving to strengthen the protection of personal information after the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, raised the Australia's strong concerns about data privacy during a visit to the sub-continent.

013/2007 - 21 January 2007 - Australia and India Co-operate on legal services
Australia and India are exploring closer ties on the provision of legal services following a visit to India by the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock.

012/2007 - 19 January 2007 - Another Step Towards David Hicks Trial
The Australian Government is pleased that the United States has set out detailed rules for military commissions, bringing David Hicks one step further towards trial.

011/2007 - 18 January 2007 - Victoria's Blackout shows need to be prepared
Businesses can minimise the sort of problems caused by yesterday's massive power outage in Victoria if they have continuity plans for emergencies, Acting Attorney General, Kevin Andrews, said today.

010/2007 - 12 January 2007 - Labor Wrong on AWB Compensation
Labor's claim that Australians may have to compensate United States farmers for AWB's conduct during the UN Oil-for-Food program in Iraq was not only wrong but potentially damaging to our national interests, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

009/2007 - 12 January 2007 - RAAF Base to Deliver Relief Fire-Fighters
The RAAF base at East Sale will be used this weekend to deliver relief fire-fighters into the bushfire-ravaged south east of Victoria after the Australian Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, approved another request for Commonwealth assistance.

008/2007 - 12 January 2007 - Attorney-Gene ral visits Pakistan and India
The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, today left for Pakistan and India, where he will hold meeti ngs on national security and other issues such as legal trade with Australia.

007/2007 - 12 January 2007 - Opposition fails to be constructive on native title
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today expressed his disappointment at the continued unwillingness of the Opposition to engage constructively on native title reform.

006/2007 - 12 January 2007 - Suicide handbook referred for review
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has today asked the Classification Review Board to review the classification of The Peaceful Pill Handbook, a publication which provides information on assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia.

005/2007 - 12 January 2007 - Freedom of Information Act Annual Report Tabled
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) continues to work well with 94 per cent of all requests for information being granted in 2005-2006, Attorney‑General Philip Ruddock said today.

004/2007 - 10 January 2007 - New family violence prevention legal services unit
Indigenous communities in Port Lincoln will soon have increased access to legal and support services, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.

003/2007 - 10 January 2007 - Communities benefit from Emergency Volunteers
The contribution of each volunteer in the response to emergencies is worth an estimated $950 a year, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock revealed today as he released the results of a national survey.

002/2007 - 8 January 2007 - 19 Million for National Security Hotline
The Government has decided to commit more than $19 million to the National Security Hotline in recognition of the vital role it is playing in protecting Australia, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

001/2007 - 8 January 2007 - Protecting Australia Against Terrorism
Australia has spent more than $8 billion on security-related measures since 2001 and involved all sectors of society in the fight against terrorism, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.