It is common knowledge that 2023 is a very challenging year, as Vanuatu faced three severe tropical cyclones in March and October.

As we approach the end of 2023, the Vanuatu Law Reform Commission would like to thank stakeholders for their good cooperation.

The VLRC, as an agency within the Ministry of Justice, is the recipient of the lowest appropriated budget.

This has been the case since 2021, when the VLRC was allocated 25,692,750 vatu as the ceiling or total budget for the last three years and this status quo will not change in 2024.

Despite this financial situation, stakeholders have played an important role in supporting the VLRC in its work and facilitating legislative review for the people of the Republic of Vanuatu.

Our special appreciation goes to the Vanuatu Australia Policing and Justice Project (VAPJP) Program for the continued support to the VLRC in 2023.

This support includes renovation of the office building (installation of a new ceiling), overhaul of the electrical system, and painting of the building (interior and exterior walls). The VLRC thanks the VAPJP for its quick intervention and support.

The VLRC also recognizes the South Pacific Community (SPC) is funding consultations in all six provinces in June 2023. This year’s consultation focused on unifying representation in provincial councils, a delicate but very interesting reform initiative. The South Pacific Community has been the major funder of all consultations conducted by the VLRC over the past two to three years. SPC's support of the VLRC is hereby acknowledged.

The VLRC also appreciates the working relationship with other ministries, agencies, and statutory organizations in terms of cooperation in resource allocation and networking that enables the VLRC to enhance its visibility with other agencies in the six provinces.

The VLRC extends special thanks to the Ministry of Local Government and the six provincial councils, the Department of Corrections, the Ministry of Finance, and the Office of the Attorney General for their continued support of the VLRC in 2023.

The VLRC also thanks the late Commission Chair Frederick John Gilu and the Commissioners for their support and wisdom during this difficult year. The VLRC also thanks the Director General of the Ministry of Justice and Community Services for his continued support and guidance to the Vanuatu Law Reform Commission

The Vanuatu Law Reform Commission also thanks the Ministry of Justice and Community Services for its support. Although the last 12 months have been marked by so much instability, the VLRC thanks each of the three ministers for supporting the Commission during this difficult time.

Our final acknowledgements go out to the public, including our honorable leaders who have been following our Facebook page and commenting on the issues we have highlighted from time to time regarding legislative and constitutional review. The VLRC also thanks the public who willingly participated in our consultations in the six provinces. In summary, your support has greatly contributed to finding ways to reform the legislation

In summary, the VLRC may be the only statutory or public body to invoke a Bible verse to guide and direct the Secretariat and staff in the implementation of legislative reforms in Vanuatu. The use of this Bible verse was approved by the Commission.

The VLRC Bible verse is Romans 12: 4-5, which states:
“For as each of us has one body with many members, not all having the same function, so in Christ we have many members. So in Christ we are indeed many, but one body, and each member