ACT Government advances legal reforms to boost protections and transparency

The ACT Government has progressed a series of legislative reforms aimed at strengthening community protections, improving transparency and modernising the Territory's legal framework.

A package of reforms introduced and passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly today addresses emerging harms, streamlines justice processes, reduces unnecessary regulation and expands public access to information.

New laws crack down on claim farming and strengthen child protection

The Civil Law (Wrongs) Amendment Bill 2026, passed today, introduces new offences targeting predatory claim farming practices and establishes a statutory duty for organisations to prevent child abuse.

Under the new laws, it will be illegal to pressure or encourage someone to lodge a personal injury or redress claim in exchange for a fee or benefit. The legislation also bans the payment, receipt or arrangement of commissions linked to claims.

Lawyers involved in claim farming will face professional misconduct consequences, while convicted law practices may be required to refund legal costs connected to affected claims.

ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne said the reforms position the Territory as an early leader in tackling exploitative conduct.

"Claim farming is deeply exploitative and can retraumatise vulnerable people," she said.

"This Bill gives victim-survivors greater protection from coercion, while supporting them to make decisions about redress or compensation on their own terms."

The legislation includes safeguards to ensure support services, individuals and legal professionals acting in good faith can continue assisting victim-survivors, while standard legal advertising will remain permitted.

The Bill also introduces a non-delegable duty requiring organisations responsible for children to take reasonable steps to prevent abuse by staff, volunteers and associated individuals.

In civil proceedings, organisations will need to demonstrate they took appropriate precautions to prevent abuse, reducing a major evidentiary barrier often faced by victim-survivors.

Bail reforms aim to improve clarity and balance

The Bail Amendment Bill 2026, also introduced today, updates the ACT's bail decision-making framework.

The proposed changes outline the key factors decision-makers must consider when determining whether bail should be granted and under what conditions.

These considerations include victim safety concerns - including the wellbeing of family members and pets - an accused person's compliance history with bail and court orders, risks relating to family violence, and the circumstances of vulnerable accused persons.

The reforms specifically recognise the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability or mental health conditions, children and pregnant people.

Ms Cheyne said the measures are designed to support balanced and transparent decision-making.

"These reforms strike a balanced approach," she said.

"They are designed to support bail decision-making and to provide clarity and confidence to the public about what has been considered in making that decision, while preserving the decision-maker's discretion."

The Bill also strengthens victim participation in bail matters and aligns information-sharing provisions in the Bail Act 1992 with the Victims of Crime Act 1994 to improve victim safety.

Public registers and regulatory reforms introduced

The Attorney-General also introduced the Better Regulation Bill 2026, which will provide free electronic access to 10 public registers and establish 14 additional registers.

The legislation also modernises outdated legal language, reduces compliance burdens for businesses and includes measures to support animal welfare.

"Public information should be easy to access, particularly where it supports transparency, accountability and community confidence," Ms Cheyne said.

Further reforms are set to continue tomorrow with the introduction of the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, which will amend eight justice-related Acts to ensure the ACT's laws remain effective and responsive.

"Together, these reforms reflect the Government's commitment to laws that protect people, support transparency and work effectively in practice," the Attorney-General said.