Page 837 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 13 March 1991
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Attorney, all that we are doing to catch up on what a responsible and sensitive government should do on this matter. It was my view, firstly, that we should create a law reform committee and, secondly, that this matter should be one of the early references to it. I will welcome the report of the committee when it comes down.
For the record, this issue was referred to the committee on 13 December. The committee is chaired by the Hon. Mr Kelly, a queen's counsel and a retired judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT. In that reference I directed the committee to have specific regard to the UN declaration in making its review and report. I am also aware, and wish to put on the record, that Mr Kelly travelled at his own expense to the United Kingdom and to the United States late last year to study different victim impact systems.
I understand that an issues paper in relation to this matter will soon be released. Indeed, an officer of the secretariat supporting that committee seems to have a voluminous draft with her now. I have resisted the temptation to peek over her shoulder, but I am sure all members will be very interested to see that discussion paper when and if it is released. It will be essentially an issues paper and it will refer in detail to the declaration before us today. The paper will be widely circulated for consideration and, clearly, the committee will again be asked to consider the issue.
I also wish to indicate that the declaration itself is a noteworthy recognition of the importance of the issue at an international level. Clearly, Australia needs to be exemplary in its relations in this regard. I am not seeking to tell Senator Evans his job; but clearly, by putting our utterances into reality, we provide an exemplary model for this troubled region of the world. Certainly, I am very proud that Australia took a lead in the formulation of the declaration. But, by the same token, it is incumbent on all Australian jurisdictions to see how they can adopt the convention and put it into reality. At the same time - and not wishing to be churlish to some States - there are corrective service difficulties of a profound nature in some of the northern areas of Australia, raising issues that we have already canvassed in relation to the declaration on the rights of the child. They relate to complex issues to do with policing structures, administrative capacity in remote areas, and so on. But I am sure that those States are working through those issues, and I do not wish, by singling out ourselves as possibly the third cab off the rank, to appear churlish about what other States are attempting to do.
I think Mr Connolly has adequately recognised the contribution that successive South Australian governments have made in the area. I believe that we have much to learn from that area. As members are aware, we are closely looking at the South Australian experience at the moment. The Government will be making a statement this afternoon
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