Law Council welcomes passage of Parole Board Bills
1 April 2026
The Law Council welcomes the passage today of legislation establishing a Commonwealth Parole Board, describing it as a win for independent, fair and accountable decision making.
“The Law Council has long advocated for the establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board to remove political decision-making from the parole process,” Law Council of Australia President, Tania Wolff said.
Federal parole decisions affect a significant and growing number of people. The Commonwealth currently makes around 450 parole decisions each year, and that number is increasing.
The legislation passed today, the Commonwealth Parole Board Bill 2025 (Cth) and the Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025, represents a substantial improvement to the administration of justice.
The establishment of a federal Parole Board brings the Commonwealth into line with every Australian State and Territory, all of which already have independent parole authorities. It also removes a long-standing anomaly, where federal offenders have been the only prisoners in Australia whose parole decisions were made by an elected official.
“This reform will ensure that complex parole decisions for federal offences are made by an appropriately qualified and resourced, independent board,” Ms Wolff said.
“We look forward to working with the Board and the Attorney-General's Department to ensure that its guidelines and procedures reflect transparency, procedural fairness and accountability.”
Contact
Kristen Connell
T. 0400 054 227
E. kristen.connell@lawcouncil.au
Last Updated on 10/04/2026