Powers of Australian tribunal to be clipped
The Australian Government has come under fire from legal and welfare experts who say proposed changes to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, a vital forum where citizens can now challenge the administrations powers, are aimed at curbing the forums independence.
The Age reports each year the tribunal decides whether government has erred in thousands of disputes over social security payments, veterans\' entitlements, child support, anti-discrimination and workers\' compensation. It also rules on freedom of information cases, where journalists and others can fight government attempts to withhold information from the public. Under the proposals, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock is seeking more control over the tribunal. Senior lawyers and welfare advocates fear the changes would make the body more inclined to rule in favour of the government. Full report in The Age