Page128 - Week 01 - Thursday, 3 December 2020
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nature of the offence or the types of behaviour this offence covers. The error has not affected any potential prosecutions of the offence.
Finally, the bill will amend the Magistrates Court Act to change the time frame for appeals against Magistrates Court convictions. Currently, a person convicted by the Magistrates Court has 28 days after conviction to lodge their appeal. Sometimes their appeal window is closed before they know what their sentence will be. This means defendants must sometimes decide whether to appeal against their conviction without being able to take their sentence into consideration. This also means defendants sometimes need to lodge two different appeals—one against their conviction and another against their sentence.
This amendment will allow defendants to appeal against Magistrates Court convictions in the 28 days after their sentence is confirmed. This will allow defendants to make an informed decision about whether to appeal. It will also streamline the appeals process, as fewer defendants will file separate appeals against their conviction and sentence. The Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety recommended this change in 2015 as part of its Inquiry into sentencing report. I am pleased to present this amendment, which delivers on this recommendation.
The amendments made by this bill, while minor or technical, will contribute to an efficient and effective criminal justice system. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Ms Lee) adjourned to the next sitting.
Standing orders—suspension
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (10.20): Before I move to suspend standing orders, can I advise the chamber that the motion I moved earlier in regard to the period 9 to 11 February did not contain all of the detail. I refer members to the circulated motion. I move:
That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent Private Members’ Business Notice No 1 being called on and debated forthwith.
Question resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.
Clubs—government support
MR PARTON (Brindabella) (10.21): I move the motion standing in my name on the notice paper:
That this Assembly:
(1) notes the important contribution made by community clubs in the ACT including:
(a) a social contribution of $39 million through community donations, subsidised access to facilities and volunteering;
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