Submissions | Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law

The Gilbert + Tobin Centre believes in the importance of academic contribution to public and political debates about legal affairs. The making of formal submissions and giving of oral evidence to parliamentary and other committees of inquiry is one way its members seek to do this. However, it should be made clear that the views expressed in the submissions listed below are the authors’ own and do not necessarily represent the views of other members or affiliates of the Centre.

Submission to the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum (Professor Gabrielle Appleby, Associate Professor Sean Brennan, Scientia Professor Rosalind Dixon, Associate Professor Paul Kildea, Professor Andrew Lynch, Elisabeth Perham (20 April 2023))
Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security to Review AFP Powers (9 September 2020)
Submission by Indigenous Members of the Referendum Council (Ms Patricia Anderson AO, Professor Megan Davis and Noel Pearson) and Technical Legal Advisers (Associate Professor Sean Brennan, Associate Professor Gabrielle Appleby, Dr Dylan Lino and Ms Gemma McKinnon) to the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (3 November 2018)
Submission on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Law Reforms in NSW (20 April 2018)
Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on Review of the 'declared area' provision (22 November 2017)
Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on Review of police stop, search and siezure powers, the control order regime and the preventative detention order regime (22 September 2017)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee's Inquiry into the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (21 July 2017)
Submission to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor on Statutory Deadline Reviews (27 April 2017)
Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights on Freedom of Speech in Australia Inquiry (21 December 2016)
Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights on Inquiry into the Freedom of Speech in Australia (30 November 2016)
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on changes to electoral law needed after the 2016 federal election (23 Octpber 2016)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Reference Committee on the Nature and scope of the consultations prior to the making of the Legal Services Amendment (Solicitor-General Opinions) Direction 2016 (3 October 2016)
Submission to the Standing Committee on the Model Code of Professional Conduct Federation of Law Societies of Canada, on their ‘Post-Judicial Return to Practice Discussion Paper' (6 September 2016)
Submission to the Senate Select Committee Inquiry on the Establishment of a National Integrity Commission (20 April 2016)
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016 (26 February 2016)
Submission to the Judicial Appointments Review conducted by the Queensland Government (12 December 2015)
Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Inquiry on Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (8 December 2015)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on Inquiry into the matter of a popular vote, in the form of a plebiscite or referendum, on the matter of marriage in Australia (3 September 2015)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on Inquiry into the matter of a popular vote, in the form of a plebiscite or referendum, on the matter of marriage in Australia (3 September 2015)
Submission to the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on Inquiry into the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Standing) Bill 2015 (2 September 2015)
Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on Inquiry into the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015 (16 July 2016)
Submission on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (12 June 2015)
Submission to Tax White Paper Task Force by Sean Brennan and Social Justice Intern Pras Ramkumar, jointly with Indigenous Law Centre (5 June 2015)
Submission to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection on Discussion paper on citizenship rights and responsibilities (4 June 2015)
Submission to the Independent Reviewer on a review of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) (20 May 2015)
Submission to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor on Inquiry into section 35P of the ASIO Act (2 April 2015)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (1 April 2015)
Submission to the SA Attorney-General's Department on Judicial Conduct Commissioner Bill 2015 (26 Februart 2015)
Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission's ‘Freedoms Inquiry’ (25 February 2015)
Submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (Improved Oversight and Resourcing) Bill 2014 (28 January 2015)
Submission to the Parliament of Western Australia on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal peoples (23 December 2014)
Submission to the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (10 December 2014)
Submission on proposed mandatory data retention legislation to Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (9 December 2014)
Submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014 (7 November 2014)
Submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Foreign Fighters Bill 2014 (1 October 2014)
Submission to NSW Expert Panel on Political DonationsInquiry into Political Donations (26 August 2014).
Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Repeal Bill 2014 (29 April 2014)
Submission to Select Committee on Amendments to the Electoral Act 1992 on the size of the ACT Legislative Assembly (24 April 2014)
Submission to National Commission of Audit on Scope of Government (21 November 2013)
Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Employment and Education Inquiry into the provisions of the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 and the Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 (19 November 2013)
Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration on Inquiry into Citizen Initiated Referendum Bill 2013 (22 April 2013)
Submission on Section 117 of the Constitution and the proposal to introduce voluntary assisted dying in Tasmania (14 March 2013)
Submission to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Non-Jury Trial Arrangements for Northern Ireland (11 March 2013);
Submission to Expert Reference Group on the Size of the Assembly to review into the Size of the ACT Legislative Assemby (18 February 2013)
Submission to Standing Committee on Social Issues of the New South Wales Parliament Inquiry into the Same Sex Marriage Law in NSW (31 January 2013)
Submission to Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government on Inquiry into constitutional recognition of local government (14 December 2012)
Submission to the Senate Committee’s inquiry on the Migration and Security Legislation Amendment (Review of Security Assessments) Bill 2012 (a Greens Bill) (13 December 2012)
Submission to the COAG Counter-Terrorism Review (21 September 2012)
Submission to Independent National Security Legislation Monitor on control orders and preventative detention orders (10 September 2012)
Submission to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor on ASIO powers (3 September 2012)
Jessie Blackbourn, Fergal Davis, Jennifer Goh, Keiran Hardy, Nicola McGarrity and George Williams make a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Inquiry into National Security Reforms (1 August 2012)
Submission to the Senate inquiry into the Low Aromatic Fuel Bill (24 July 2012)
Jane McAdam makes a submission to the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers on behalf of 17 refugee law academics (11 July 2012)
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties on Inquiry into Treaties Ratification Bill 2012 (12 May 2012)
Submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Parliamentary Commissions and Judicial Complaints Bills 2012-04-26 (26 April 2012)
Submission to the Senate Committee inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 (15 March 2012)
Submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 and the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012 (15 March 2012)
Submission to inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 (15 March 2012)
Submission on review of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth) (8 February 2012)
Submission to Inquiry into the Migration (Removal of Mandatory Minimum Penalties) Bill 2012 (20 February 2012)
Submission to the Attorney-General’s Department on Consolidation of Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Laws (31 January 2012)
Submission to Inquiry into the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2011 (20 January 2012)
Submission to inquire into the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2011
Submission to the Independent Media Inquiry (14 November 2011)
Submission to the Expert Panel inquiry into Constitutional Recognition of Local Government (1 November 2011)
Paul Kildea makes a Centre submission to the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians (30 September 2011)
Sean Brennan authors a Centre submission to the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians (30 September 2011)
Jane McAdam, Centre Associate Ben Saul and PhD student Tamara Wood co-author with other leading Australian refugee law academics a submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Commonwealth’s ‘Malaysia Agreement’ (15 September 2011)
Submission made on inquiry into Australia's immigratiaon Detention Network (10 August 2011)
Submission to Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians (12 July 2011)
Submission made to ARC on Judicial Review in Australia (1 July 2011)
Submission made to Victorian Parliament Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee in its Review of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilitiesby George Williams, Rhonda Galbally, Andrew Gaze and Haddon Storey QC (7 June 2011)
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test and Other Provisions) (31 May 2011)
Submission to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Inquiry into the Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns (27 May 2011)
Submission to NSW Attorney General's Department on judicial review reform in New South Wales (11 April 2011)
Submission to Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committees on Inquiry into the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Bill(s) 2011 (8 April 2011)
Submission to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit inquiry into National Funding Agreements (7 April 2011)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry into the Provisions of the Water Act 2007 (16 March 2011)
Submission to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011 (28 March 2011)
Submission to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2010 (3 March 2011)
Submission to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Affairs Committee on proposed bill to remove the Federal veto over ACT laws (1 March 2011)
Submission to Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform Inquiry into Pre-Commitments Scheme (8 February 2011)
Submission to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Inquiry into the Conduct of the 2010 Federal Election and Matters Related Thereto (1 February 2011)
Submission to the UK’s House of Lords Inquiry into Fixed-term Parliaments (20 September 2010)
Submission to the Senate Select Committee on the Reform of the Australian Federation (20 August 2010)
Submission to the Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts Legislation Committee on the Water (Crisis Powers and Floodwater Diversion) Bill 2010 (9 June 2010)
Supplementary submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry on the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (3 May 2010)
Submission to to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill (30 April 2010)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Anti-People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2010 (16 April 2010)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on Inquiry into the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2010 [No 2] (16 March 2010)
Submission to the inquiry into the future direction and role of the Senate Scrutiny of B ills Committee (5 March 2010)
Submission to the House Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Inquiry into the Machinery of Referendums (9 October 2009)
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2009 (28 September 2009)
Submission to Attorney-General's Department on National Security Legislation Discussion Paper (24 September 2009)
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Marriage Bill 2009 (28 August 2009)
Submission to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on Inquiry into the Anti-Terrorism Laws Reform Bill 2009 (14 August 2009)
Submission to to the Senate, Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee on inquiry into the Building and Construction Industry Improvement (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2009 (16 July 2009)
Submission to to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration on inquiry into the National Security Legislation Monitor Bill 2009 (14 July 2009)
Submission to the House Standing Committee on Procedure Inquiry into the effectiveness of House Committees (3 July 2009)
Submission to the House Standing Committee on Procedure Inquiry into the effectiveness of House Committees (22 June 2009)
Submission to the National Human Rights Consultation Committee on Indigenous legal issues (15 June 2009)
Submission to the National Human Rights Consultation Committee on refugees and asylum seekers (McAdam and Garcia, June 2009).
Submission to National Human Rights Consultation Committee on a national Human Rights Act (Edward Santow)
Submission to the National Human Rights Consultation Committee on federalism and human rights protection (27 May 2009)
Submission to the National Human Rights Consultation Committee on national security and terrorism and the protection of human rights (18 May 2009)
Submission to National Human Rights Consultation Committee on a national human rights law (6 May 2009) (George Williams)
Submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry into Australia’s Judicial system and the Role of Judges (27 March 2009)
Submission to Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into the Economic and Security Challenges Facing Papua New Guinea and the Island States of the Southwest Pacific on the impacts of climate change on human movement in the region (24 March 2009)
Submission to Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration on inquiry into the Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill 2008 (3 February 2009)
Submission to the Hon Murray Wilcox inquiry on the Transition to Fair Work Australia for the Building and Construction Industry (14 November 2008)
Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee inquiry into petrol sniffing and substance abuse in Central Australia (27 October 2008)
Submission to Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee Inquiry into Building and Construction Industry (Restoring Workplace Rights) Bill 2008 (10 October 2008)
Submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commission Inquiry into the Legislative Arrangements to Outlaw Serious and Organised Crime Groups (29 September 2008)
Supplementary Submission to the Clarke Inquiry into the Case of Dr Mohamed Haneef (22 September 2008)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on Inquiry into the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Laws Bill 2008 [No 2] (10 September 2008)
Submission made to the Northern Territory Emergency Response Review Board on NT Intervention measures (22 August 2008)
Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Inquiry into Academic Freedom (21 July 2008)
Submission to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into the Economic and Security Challenges Facing Papua New Guinea and the Island States of the Southwest Pacific (17 July 2008)
Submission made to the Clarke Inquiry into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef (16 May 2008)
Submission made to Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commission on legislative arrangements to outlaw serious organised crime groups (30 April 2008)
Submission made to the Australia 2020 Summit on population, sustainability, climate change and water
Submission made to Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Inquiry into the Rights of the Terminally Ill (Euthanasia Law Repeal) Bill 2008
Submission made to the Senate, Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee on the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Bill 2007 (24 August 2007)
Supplementary Submission to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee inquiry into Commonwealth intervention on Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory (10 August 2007)
Submission on compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal property rights for Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee inquiry into Commonwealth intervention on Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory (9 August 2007)
Andrew Lynch, Edwina MacDonald and George Williams make a submission to the inquiry into Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Terrorist Material) Bill 2007
Centre staff make a submission to the NSW Ombudsman’s Office Review of Parts 2A and 3 of the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002 (NSW) (13 June 2007).
Submission made to the Attorney-General's Department on Material that Advocates Terrorist Acts (25 May 2007)
Submission made to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on Terrorist Organisation Listing Provisions of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (9 February 2007)
Submission made to United Nations Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing`s Official Investigation into Australia`s compliance with its international obligation to progressively realise the human right to adequate housing
Submission made to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on Review of Security and Counter Terrorism Legislation (6 July 2006)
Submission made to the Senate Community Affairs Committee on amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act in the Northern Territory (31 July 2006)
Submission made on New Matilda's Australian Human Rights Bill (7 July 2006)
Submission made to the Australian Reform Commission's review of sedition laws (6 July 2006)
Submission made to Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s inquiry 'Same-Sex: Same Entitlements' ( 5 June 2006)
Submission made to Refugee Review Tribunal’s Draft Guidelines on Credibility Assessment (2 June 2006)
Submission made to the Department of Immigration’s review of Australia’s Bridging Visa framework (12 May 2006)
Submission made to the Australian Law Reform Commission Inquiry into the sedition laws (14 April 2006)
Submission made to Attorney-General's Department on Review of Australia's Extradition Law and Practice (10 April 2006)
Submission made to United Nations Study on Human Rights Compliance while Countering Terrorism (Australia) (13 March 2006)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee Inquiry on Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 (10 March 2006)
Submission made to the International Commission of Jurists Eminent Jurist Panel Inquiry into Australia`s Counter-Terrorism Laws (10 March 2006)
Submission made to Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee ‘Inquiry into the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2005’ (28 February 2006)
Submission made to Security Legislation Review Committee on 2002 Anti-Terrorism Legislation (1 February 2006)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constituitonal Committee on Inquiry into the Australian Citizenship Bill 2005 (16 January 2006)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constituitonal Committee on Inquiry into the Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authority) Bill 2005 (16 January 2006)
Submission made to the Senate Inquiry on the Anti-Terrorism Bill (10 November 2005)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Video Link Evidence and Other Measures) Bill 2005 (16 October 2005)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Inquiry into the National Security Information Legislation Amendment Bill 2005 (6 April 2005)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Inquiry into the provisions of the Migration Litigation Reform Bill 2005 (6 April 2005)
Submission made to Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD on Questioning and Detention Powers (24 March 2005)
Submission made to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on Inquiry into the Conduct of the 2004 Federal Election and matters related thereto (23 March 2005)
Submission made to House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Inquiry into Harmonisation of Legal Systems (14 March 2005)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on criminal code amendment relating to suicide (26 August 2004)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on the Migration Amendment (Judicial Review) Bill 2004 (27 April 2004)
Submission made to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties on the Free Trade Agreement (5 April 2004)
Submission made to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on disclosure of donations to political parties and candidates (5 April 2004)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on the Anti-Terrorism Bill 2004 (15 April 2004)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on the Republic (18 March 2004)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Voting by Overseas Australians (19 February 2004)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Inquiry into State Elections (One Vote, One Value) Bill 2001 [2002] (8 October 2003)
Submission to Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee, Queensland Parliament on Inquiry into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Participation in Queensland’s Democratic Process’ (10 April 2003).
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Inquiry into Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Bill 2003 (14 April 2003)
Submission made to Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee on Inquiry into Workplace Relations Amendment (Termination of Employment) Bill 2002 (6 February 2003)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Inquiry into the Progress Towards National Reconciliation (6 November 2002)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Inquiry into proposed ASIO legislation (4 November 2002)
Submission made to ACT Bill of Rights Consultative Committee on ‘A Bill Of Rights for the ACT?’ (19 September 2002)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Human Rights (Mandatory Sentencing for Property Offences ) Bill 2000 (30 August 2002)
Submission made to Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee of the Queensland Parliament on their inquiry into Issues of Constitutional Reform (20 May 2002)
Submission made to Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD on ‘Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Bill 2002’ (30 April 2002)
Submission made to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on Inquiry into proposed terrorism legislation (3 April 2002)