THE SENATE REPORT EXAMINED THE EXISTING MACHINERY FOR LAW REFORM IN AUSTRALIA AND THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT WHICH HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1975. IT ALSO EXPLORED METHODS FOR ENSURING THAT PROPOSALS OF THE COMMISSION ARE EFFECTIVELY PROCESSED; THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING MACHINERY FOR THE COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF LAW REFORM PROPOSALS; AND COORDINATION OF LAW REFORM EFFORTS BETWEEN STATE, FEDERAL; AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENTS AND LAW REFORM AGENCIES. MANY OF THE COMMENTS AND PROPOSALS IN THE REPORT ARE ENCOURAGING FOR INSTITUTIONAL LAW REFORM IN AUSTRALIA. ANOTHER ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT IS A GROWING WILLINGNESS BY STATE GOVERNMENTS TO ADOPT PROPOSALS MADE BY THE COMMISSION IN SUCH AREAS AS COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, BAIL REFORM, INTERROGATION OF CHILDREN, HUMAN TISSUE TRANSPLANTS, DEBT RECOVERY AND INSOLVENCY, AND LANDS ACQUISITION. A SUMMARY IS PRESENTED OF THE ACTIVITIES WHICH OCCURRED AT THE FIFTH AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM AGENCIES CONFERENCE HELD IN 1979. UPDATED INFORMATION IS ALSO PROVIDED ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION, ITS PUBLICATIONS, AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES. TABLES AND DISCUSSION SUMMARIZE THE COMPLETED PROJECTS OF THE COMMISSION. THESE PROJECTS CONCERNED COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS ON DRIVING, INSOLVENCY, HUMAN TISSUE TRANSPLANTS, AND UNFAIR PUBLICATION. SIMILARLY, SUMMARIES ARE PRESENTED ON CURRENT PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDE DEBT RECOVERY AND INSOLVENCY, INSURANCE CONTRACTS, CHILD WELFARE, SENTENCING, PRIVACY, ABORIGINAL CUSTOMARY LAWS, AND ACCESS TO THE COURTS. ALSO NOTED ARE INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL EXCHANGES HELD DURING THE YEAR. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT, REFERENCE MATERIALS, AN INDEX, AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)