U4AOS2Topic 2: Means of influencing law reform

Key knowledge dot point:

  1. the means by which individuals or groups can influence law reform including through petitions, demonstrations and the use of the courts.


The means of influencing law reform:

  1. Petitions.
  2. Demonstrations.
  3. The courts.


Petitions:

  1. Refers to a formal, written request addressed to the parliament that is signed by individuals who wish for parliament to take some action or implement law reform.
  2. May be in the form of a paper or electronic format.
  3. There are no costs associated with creating a petition, and can be made easily online in the format of e-petitions.
  4. There are certain general rules that petitions must follow depending on whether they are being presented to one of the state or territory parliaments or to the Commonwealth Parliament. For example, the rules may require that the petition has a word limit, includes the details of the principal petitioner (the person initiating it), and contains at least one signature.

Strengths of Petitions in influencing law reform:


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