Latest News
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03Dec2014
Katie Miller announced as the 2015 LIV President
The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office is proud to see government lawyer Katie Miller take up the position of Law Institute Victoria President in 2015. -
25Aug2014
Privacy & Data Protection Bill passed on 19 August 2014
The Privacy and Data Protection Bill 2014 was passed on Tuesday 19 August. Read more about the coming changes on our blog. -
22Jul2014
"Privacy Bill goes public" seminar materials now available
Presentation materials from the VGSO seminar "Privacy Bill goes public" held at Treasury Theatre, Tuesday 22 July 2014. Presented by Deidre Missingham and Acting Privacy Commissioner David Watts. -
17Jul2014
Privacy Bill Goes Public: Blog overview of The Privacy and Data Protection Bill 2014
The Privacy and Data Protection Bill 2014 repeals the Information Privacy Act 2000 (IP Act) and the Commissioner for Law Enforcement Data Security Act 1995 (CLEDS Act), and creates a new office of the Commissioner for Privacy and Data Protection (Commissioner) with broad powers of oversight and enforcement. The Bill does not affect the existing legislative arrangements whereby Commonwealth agencies and some private sector entities and individuals are subject to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Commonwealth Privacy Act). Victoria’s health privacy regime under the Health Records Act 2001 and related legislation is also unaffected by the Bill. Nevertheless, if the Bill is passed and assented to, it will usher in a new era with new emphases not only for privacy practitioners but also for public sector body Heads, who will need to pay close attention to their protective data security obligations. Read more about the coming changes on our blog. -
15Apr2014
VGSO acting for the State of Victoria in Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry
The VGSO has been appointed to represent the State of Victoria in the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry. -
04Apr2014
Major changes in hospital land arrangements - Health Services Amendment Act 2014
Major changes in hospital land arrangements - Health Services Amendment Act 2014 -
17Oct2013
Alison O'Brien appointed as Law Reform Commissioner
Alison O'Brien appointed as Law Reform Commissioner -
22Jul2013
Client Newsletter: Recent changes to the Planning and Environment Act 1987
A suite of changes to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (PE Act) came into operation on 22 July 2013. The changes implement a number of government election commitments and are designed to improve the general operation of the Act, and in particular, to improve and simplify key planning processes. -
17Jul2013
Client Newsletter: Reforms to Native Vegetation Regulation
The Victorian Government has released a new policy: Permitted Clearing of Native Vegetation - Biodiversity Assessment Guidelines (2013). The new policy replaces Victoria's Native Vegetation Management - A Framework for Action (2002) and seeks to ensure that clearing of native vegetation results in no net loss to Victoria's biodiversity. This is a policy shift from the previous requirement for 'net gain'. In September 2013, the new policy will be incorporated into all planning schemes in Victoria. There will also be associated reforms to the State Planning Policy Framework, and planning controls concerning the removal of native vegetation. The reforms will introduce new risk-based pathways for permit applications to remove native vegetation. Most applications will fall in the low risk pathway, which has fewer application requirements than other pathways. -
28Jun2013
Client Newsletter: Protected Disclosure Act 2012
The Protected Disclosure Act 2012 (PD Act) facilitates disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies, and provides protection from detrimental action to the person making the disclosure, as well as witnesses and persons who are the subject of an investigation. However, not all disclosures will be captured by the PD Act. Entities must establish procedures under the PD Act before 10 August 2013.