Australian Law Reform Commission – Human Tissue Inquiry – Member

Job Description

The Australian Government is seeking applications from suitably qualified persons for appointment as Member (Commissioner) of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to work alongside the ALRC President to conduct the recently announced inquiry into human tissue laws in Australia.

In 1977, the ALRC published a report titled Human Tissue Transplants. Significant social, technological and scientific changes have occurred since that time, and human tissue laws have not kept pace.

Organ and tissue donation, retrieval and transplantation play an important role in improving the lives of Australians. The inquiry will support an updated and harmonised approach to regulation of donation, transplantation, and other human tissue related matters across Australia.

The ALRC is a national independent statutory body which undertakes research, consultations and legal policy development and makes recommendations to government. The ALRC’s functions are outlined in the Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 (Cth). The ALRC is based in Melbourne and currently comprises a full-time President and four part-time Members (Commissioners). Further information about the ALRC is available at Australian Law Reform Commission | ALRC

To be eligible for appointment to the ALRC, candidates must be in one of the following categories:

·       the holder of judicial office

·       a legal practitioner of the High Court, or of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory (and have been for at least five years)

·       a graduate in law of a university, and have experience as a member of the academic staff of a tertiary educational institution, or

·       suitable for appointment because of special qualifications, training or experience.

Information for applicants:

The appointment will be full-time for a term of up to 18 months or until the inquiry is complete, whichever occurs first. Candidates who are based outside Melbourne are welcome to apply.

Information about the position, including remuneration, eligibility and selection criteria, and details on how to apply, is available on the Attorney-General’s Department website Careers page – https://www.ag.gov.au/about-us/careers/statutory-appointments. Applications close at 5:00pm AEST on 30 August 2024. Enquiries can be directed to [email protected].