Do We Really Need Law Reform Commissions?

David Weisbrot is stepping down as president of the Australian Law Reform Commission, a position he has held for 10 years.

He was interviewed earlier this week on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

"Law Reform Commissions -- do we really need them? If governments want to change the law, why can't they work out what they want by themselves? Do law reform commissions provide governments with camouflage, allowing them to further their political agendas with a veneer of impartiality?"

"After 10 years at the helm of the Australian Law Reform Commission David Weisbrot is stepping down. He says law reform commissions do indeed provide objective, arms length advice, and all sorts of individuals and businesses are happy to provide information that they would never share with government."