Policy and Law Reform Updates: August 2025

Monday, 30 June 2025

Policy and Law Reform Update - August 2025

 

These policy and law reform updates are collated to ensure members are equipped for any changes that may impact the profession. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please contact us here. 

Key Legislative Changes 

Note that the following summary does not constitute legal advice and is intended only to provide general information to practitioners, drawn primarily from the amending legislation and explanatory materials accompanying its consideration by the ACT Legislative Assembly.     

Amendments to Legal Profession (Solicitors) Conduct Rules 2015  

The Society has concluded its consultation on proposed updates to the Legal Profession (Solicitors) Conduct Rules 2015, receiving four submissions. These will be considered for inclusion when the Rules are revisited in 6-12 months’ time. 

In preparation for these amendments coming into force, the Society is developing training initiatives to support both members and staff. This includes a CPD program to help practitioners understand their new obligations. 

Veterinary Practice Amendment Act 2025 

On 16 July, the Veterinary Practice Amendment Act 2025 commenced. The Amendment Bill introduced several changes to the Veterinary Practice Act 2018 and Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018. The objective of the amendments was to:  

  • Ensure consumers are well-informed about veterinary practitioner competencies; 

  • Promote public confidence in accessing veterinary services; and 

  • Emphasise the protection of human health and welfare. 

The new amendments introduce new functions and responsibilities for the Veterinary Practitioners Board, such as developing codes of conduct and overseeing continuing professional development. 

Under the regulation, veterinarians must hold third-party indemnity insurance to ensure protection for themselves and the public in cases of malpractice.  

The full list of amendments can be found here. 

Territory Records (Executive Records) Amendment Bill 2025 

On 26 June, the Territory Records (Executive Records) Amendment Bill 2025 was introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly. The bill amends the Territory Records Act 2002 to introduce a statutory 30-working-day timeframe for processing requests for executive records, aligning it with the Freedom of Information Act 2016. This period includes time to consider any release restraint determinations and may be extended with the requester’s consent or by the ACT Ombudsman if deemed reasonable. 

The bill also allows for delays in cases where requests are unreasonably large and would require a substantial diversion of resources. If no decision is made within the timeframe, the records are deemed fully restrained, enabling the requester to appeal directly to the ACT Ombudsman without compromising sensitive information. 

The full list of amendments can be found here. 

Public Sector (Closing the Gap) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 

On 26 June, the Public Sector (Closing the Gap) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly. The bill seeks to amend the Annual Reports (Government Agencies) Act 2004 to require agencies to report on actions taken to implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, including responses to recent reviews by the Productivity Commission and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led bodies. 

It also amends the Public Sector Management Act 1994 to embed Closing the Gap principles into public sector operations. This includes recognising the principle as part of public sector values, requiring public servants to act in accordance with it, and introducing new definitions to support cultural capability and accountability. 

The full list of amendments can be found here. 

Reviews and Inquiries 

 

Inquiry into the Civil Law (Wrongs) (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Amendment Bill 2025 

The ACT Legislative Assembly has commenced an inquiry into the Civil Law (Wrongs) (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Amendment Bill 2025. The bill seeks to hold organisations vicariously liable for the abuse of children by people akin to an employee of the organisation.  

The inquiry commenced on 1 July and stopped receiving submissions on the 31 July. Full details of the inquiry, including the terms of reference can be found here. 

Further full details of the proposed bill can be found here.