Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I'm very happy to answer the member for Brisbane's question. The legislation ensures that the tribunal is accessible. A priority of the reform is ensuring that the tribunal meets the needs of its users. The tribunal's objective would require that the tribunal provide an independent mechanism of review that is accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of parties. This reflects the fact that many tribunal users may require adjustments to participate meaningfully in tribunal processes.

The tribunal is also required to be accessible under clause 51. This applies as far as is practicable and requires the tribunal to consider the needs of parties. The president may make practice directions in relation to accessibility. There's a definition of 'accessible' in the AAR bill. The definition reads, 'Enables persons to apply to the tribunal and to participate effectively in proceedings in the tribunal'. I can assure honourable members that the department intends to engage with the tribunal and key stakeholders prior to implementation to ensure that accessibility remains a key focus.

I've had a personal long history of looking at this. Accessibility to public buildings is the subject of Australian standards. It's something that I think Australian government departments, instrumentalities and agencies have taken some time to come to. But increasingly public buildings, including premises occupied by the current Administrative Appeals Tribunal and premises to be occupied by the Administrative Review Tribunal, are physically accessible. As to the language needs or other needs of people with a disability, not just the current Administrative Appeals Tribunal and its successor, the Administrative Review Tribunal, but also courts and government departments generally are I think becoming increasingly aware of the need for government services for review processes like the ones the Administrative Review Tribunal will be delivering to indeed be accessible and properly responsive to the diverse needs of the whole of the Australian community.

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