Recklessness

Project Status:

Tabled in parliament

Start Date:

25/10/2022

Tabled in Parliament Date:

28/05/2024

Project

The VLRC’s Recklessness report was tabled in Parliament on 28 May 2024.

Recklessness is an element of hundreds of criminal offences, including reckless murder, recklessly causing serious injury and culpable driving. But the definition of recklessness comes mainly from the common law. It can vary depending on the offence, and also from state to state.

On 25 October 2022 the Attorney-General asked the Victorian Law Reform Commission to examine, report and make recommendations on the meaning of ‘recklessness’ in Victorian criminal law.

The VLRC concluded that recklessness test for offences against the person should not change and does not need to be legislated.

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Project Stage

  • Terms of reference received
  • Submissions and consultations
  • Submissions closed
  • Final Report
  • Tabled in parliament

Publications

Publication Date

28/05/2024

The Victorian Law Reform Commission has concluded that the recklessness test for offences against the person should not change and does not need to be legislated.
Publication Date

28/05/2024

The Victorian Law Reform Commission has concluded that the recklessness test for offences against the person should not change and does not need to be legislated.  
Publication Date

27/03/2023

The Commission received these public submissions to its Recklessness inquiry. Read more
Publication Date

17/01/2023

This short issues paper covers the current state of the law, how recklessness is defined, and issues with the definition of recklessness as it is today. Includes a list of questions to guide submissions.
Publication Date

17/01/2023

This short issues paper covers the current state of the law, how recklessness is defined, and issues with the definition of recklessness as it is today. Includes a list of questions to guide submissions.
Publication Date

25/10/2022

The Attorney-General has asked the Commission to examine, report and make recommendations on the meaning of ‘recklessness’ in Victorian criminal law. Read the terms of reference.