The Law Commission is going high tech as it tries to garner opinions from a wider audience – it has just launched a website and has plans to launch itself on Facebook.

The new site www.talklaw.co.nz has just been launched and the Law Commission’s consultation period for the review of the Privacy Law has been extended so that online feedback can be collected.

The commission’s deputy president Dr Warren Young said that it does a great number of projects where they needed to connect with the public to find out their views.

“Up until now we have done it the old fashioned way,” he said.

He added that the internet had two benefits – it is efficient and younger people have a preference towards doing things electronically.

The next subject that the Law Commission will be looking at is a review of the law surrounding the sale and supply of liquor. A discussion paper is due to be released on July 31 on this.

Dr Young said: “The regulatory framework around the sale and consumption of alcohol is a subject that just about all New Zealanders will have an opinion. Most people, one way or another, buy, sell or consume alcohol, or are affected by its sale and consumption.”

He said he hoped the new website would increase their access to the public.

“We’re hoping that we’ll get comments and feedback from people from all walks of life right across New Zealand, especially people in their 20s and 30s who might otherwise not engage with us.”

The Law Commission is a crown entity responsible for reviewing New Zealand’s laws and providing law reform advice.