Page 3111 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 15 September 1993
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Madam Speaker, this report makes many recommendations aimed at the improvement of the delivery of justice to victims. The committee has recommended that the declaration of victims' rights, previously adopted by the ACT, should be enshrined in legislation. This declaration would place ACT agencies under certain obligations in the way they treat victims of crime, including keeping victims of crime informed of the legal processes, and working sensitively with victims. The report also recommends a legislative framework for the preparation and use of victim impact statements. These statements inform the court of the full physical, psychological, financial and social effects suffered by a victim as a result of a crime. The committee considers that victim impact statements will provide a direct input by victims into the sentencing process, and will increase victims' feelings of involvement in the criminal justice system.
The committee has also recommended the appointment of a victims of crime coordinator to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services to victims and to act as a central contact point for the victims of crime. The report also makes recommendations regarding the trialling of victim-offender mediation in less serious cases involving juveniles, as well as suggesting changes to the criminal injuries compensation process.
Clearly, this extensive report will require careful consideration by the Government, the Assembly and the Canberra community. For this reason, I propose that it should lie on the table for at least two months to allow an adequate consultation period. An appendix to the report, containing draft legislation reflecting the recommendations of the committee, will be tabled as soon as it is settled. This will, in effect, be draft exposure legislation to allow focused consideration of the report during the consultation period. Madam Speaker, I present a copy of this statement, and I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the papers.
Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.
SOCIAL POLICY - STANDING COMMITTEE
Report on Aged Accommodation and Support Services - Government Response
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I ask for leave of the Assembly to make a ministerial statement on the Government's response to report No. 2 of the Standing Committee on Social Policy, "Aged Accommodation and Support Services in the ACT".
Leave granted.
MS FOLLETT: I thank members. Madam Speaker, on 27 May 1992 the Social Policy Committee decided to undertake an inquiry into aged accommodation and support services in the ACT on the basis that it was both timely and necessary in light of the increase in the number of aged persons in the ACT population and the proportion of the population which belonged to this group.
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