The ACT Government continues to deliver practical law reform to respond to emerging harms, clarify justice processes, reduce unnecessary regulatory burden and improve access to public information. Reforms introduced and passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly today have a particular focus on strengthening protections and providing greater transparency.
New laws to stop predatory claim farming and protect children from abuse
The Civil Law (Wrongs) Amendment Bill 2026, passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly today, criminalises claim farming and introduces a statutory duty to prevent child abuse for organisations responsible for children.
The Bill:
- has made it an offence to pressure or persuade someone to make a personal injury or redress claim where a fee or benefit is involved;
- has prohibited giving, receiving or arranging fees or benefits for claims; and
- treats claim farming as unacceptable professional conduct for lawyers, requiring any convicted law practice to refund clients' legal costs for affected claims.
Attorney‑General Tara Cheyne said the reforms position the ACT as a proactive jurisdiction acting early to prevent exploitative practices.
"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."
Statutory exceptions ensure individuals, services and legal professionals acting in good faith can continue to support victim‑survivors, and general legal advertising will remain lawful.
The Bill also introduces a non‑delegable duty requiring organisations responsible for children to take reasonable steps to prevent abuse by people associated with the organisation, including volunteers. In civil claims, organisations will need to prove they took reasonable precautions, removing a significant evidential barrier commonly faced by victim‑survivors.
Supporting clearer and more balanced bail decision‑making
The Bail Amendment Bill 2026, introduced today, modernises the statutory framework governing bail decisions in the ACT.
The Bill sets out the core matters decision‑makers must consider when deciding whether to grant bail and, if so, the conditions. These include:
- victims' safety concerns, including for loved ones and pets;
- an accused person's history of compliance with bail and court orders, and risk of family violence; and
- matters relevant to vulnerable accused persons, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability or health conditions (including mental illness), children and pregnant people.
"These reforms strike a balanced approach," the Attorney‑General 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 reforms also enhance victim participation in bail decisions and align information‑sharing provisions in the Bail Act 1992 with the Victims of Crime Act 1994, strengthening victim safety.
Improving transparency, reducing burden and keeping laws up to date
The Attorney‑General also introduced the Better Regulation Bill 2026, which enshrines free electronic access to 10 public registers, requires the creation of 14 new registers, modernises legislative language, reduces regulatory burden on businesses and promotes animal welfare.
"Public information should be easy to access, particularly where it supports transparency, accountability and community confidence," the Attorney‑General said.
Tomorrow, the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 will be introduced, amending eight justice‑related Acts to ensure the ACT's legal framework remains clear, 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.
