On 16 December 1991, the Attorney General, the Honourable P E J Collins QC MP referred the following matter to the Commission:

The Commission is to inquire into and report on the operation of the Adoption Information Act 1990 and the Adoption Information Regulations 1991, and in particular to consider:

(i) the implementation, public awareness and administration of the legislation; and

(ii) the impact of the legislation on birth parents, children surrendered for adoption, adopting parents and the extended families of all parties.

The Law Reform Commission is constituted by the Law Reform Commission Act 1967. For the purpose of the Adoption Information Reference, the Chairman, in accordance with the Act, created a Division comprising the follwing members of the Commission:

The Hon R M Hope QC
Associate Professor David Weisbrot
Professor R Chisholm
Justice J Brownie
Ms J Stackpool

Mr Peter Hennessy

Professor R Chisholm
Adrienne Bailey

Ms Beverley Caska

Mr Richard Turner

Ms Zoya Howes
Mrs Shirley Lucke

The Commission invites submissions on the issues raised in this Issues Paper. Written submissions and comments should reach the Commission by 1 May, 1992. All enquiries and comments should be directed to:

Peter Hennessy
Executive Director
NSW Law Reform Commission
GPO Box 5199
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Telephone: (02) 252 3855
Fax: (02) 247 1054

The Commission also invites participation in a public hearing. Public hearings will be held in Sydney commencing April 13, 1992. In late April and May, members of the Commission will travel to Newcastle, Wollongong, Queanbeyan, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth and Lismore to hold public hearings and conduct private consultations.

All enquiries and applications to participate in these activities should be made to the Commission. Any submission will be treated as confidential if this is requested.