Page 5345 - Week 17 - Tuesday, 3 December 1991
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If properly instructed on their role, juries would be more inclined to provide a lead on these issues. Juries must be encouraged to become assertive and proactive. The role of an ethical media is vital in this context. Defamation law reform will unleash this force. Mr Stefaniak's search for an answer in having two fewer voices, and two fewer minds, is misplaced. We need wider reforms. If we re-democratise, re-empower and unshackle the jury, it might forge the reforms for which much of the judiciary, and the profession underpinning it, has lost its zest.
May I add, Mr Deputy Speaker, that there appears to be a misunderstanding at paragraph 5.8 on page 14 of the committee's report. I believe that the words "The committee recommends" should read "Mr Stefaniak recommends". I believe that there has been a misunderstanding there. Since, due to a misunderstanding, my comments were not included as additional comments, I seek leave of the Assembly to table my comments, and to have them incorporated in Hansard.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Collaery, I think you should look at the word "should" on page 14.
MR COLLAERY: Yes, "should". Well, I will accept that.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is leave granted for Mr Collaery's additional comments to be tabled?
Leave granted.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is leave granted to incorporate them in Hansard?
Mr Connolly: We do not usually incorporate committee reports in Hansard.
MR COLLAERY: The problem, Mr Deputy Speaker, was that the secretary was not aware that I had additional comments and the report was printed.
Mr Connolly: There is a deadline.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, all right. Anyway, they have been tabled, so they are there.
MR COLLAERY: The reason I want them tabled, Mr Deputy Speaker, is that I have done some research and the footnotes there may assist researchers; but I leave it to the house.
Leave granted.
Document incorporated at Appendix 1.
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