There are many reasons why law changes. Usually government decides to adopt a new policy or approach. The changes to employment rights, the "WorkChoices" laws and then the reversal of some of these laws, are an example of this. Often the need for change is expressed and defined by law reform organisations, Royal Commissions and the many other bodies that play an active role in trying to improve society, such as trade unions and political lobby groups.

The most formal mechanism for reviewing law is through a Law Reform Commission, which is given the job of reporting to government about laws that need changing or improving. The Commonwealth Government has the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC website at www.alrc.gov.au), based in Sydney. The Victorian Government also has a Law Reform Commission (at www.lawreform.vic.gov.au). The state and federal Attorneys-General refer problem areas to these Commissions for advice. Both bodies are committed to a consultative approach to law reform, and they provide opportunities for the public to put forward views about the areas of law they are working on.

As well as these formal mechanisms for changing laws, community groups, activists and the business community all work for reforms to laws that interest and affect them from time to time. The community legal centre movement (see: "Community legal centres" in Chapter 2*3 Legal Aid) is actively involved in law reform, as are groups such as consumer and environmental activists and the welfare community.

At any time, many activist groups in the community are working to change all sorts of laws, ranging from mandatory detention, anti-terrorist and abortion laws through to animal welfare, environmental and planning laws and various civil liberty campaigns. The daily newspapers and the current affairs electronic media will give you an instant sample of what laws are under scrutiny at any given time. (See also: Chapter 11*2 Community Activism.)

If you are concerned about a particular law, the first person to approach is your relevant local Member of Parliament (MP).