Bid to update guardianship laws

Public feedback is being sought on proposed changes to ACT Guardianship laws, which will give people with disabilities more say in making decisions.

An inquiry is being conducted by the Australian National University (ANU) based ACT Law Reform Advisory Council (LRAC) into the Guardianship and Management of Property Act 1991, which affects a range of people, including those with intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, brain injury and dementia.

Council Chair, Professor Simon Rice said that people who needed help with making decisions at the moment get those decisions made for them.

"The ACT law is an old law, and international human rights have moved ahead," he said.

"The reforms are looking at helping those people make decisions for themselves about their life as far as they can, which is often much, much further than people give them credit for."

The Council began its public consultation following a request from Attorney-General, Simon Corbell request for advice on how guardianship laws could be amended to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

To give feedback, a response booklet is available from the Law Reform Advisory Council at www.lawreform.act.gov.au, from the ANU College of Law and from disability agencies in the ACT.

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Bid to update guardianship laws