Improving integrity, access to justice and transparency will be on the agenda when federal, state and territory attorneys-general meet on Friday.
It’s the first time Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will chair the meeting with his state and territory counterparts since the Labor government was elected in May.
New Zealand Minister for Justice Kiri Allan will also attend, to provide a trans-Tasman focus.
It is the first in-person meeting in more than two years.
“This meeting has a comprehensive agenda, including important matters such as national approaches to coercive control, and strengthening criminal justice responses to sexual assault,” he said in a statement.
Coordinated, national responses to justice, legal systems, integrity and the safety of women and children are also among the federal attorney-general’s priorities.
He committed to more regular meetings with his state and territory colleagues.
During the first week of parliament, Mr Dreyfus introduced a proposal to amend the appointment process for the Australian Human Rights Commission which would establish a merit-based selection approach.
The proposal shows Labor’s commitment to restoring integrity to government, as well as its commitment to the international rules-based order, Mr Dreyfus said.
