Page 2256 - Week 07 - Thursday, 16 June 1994

CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994

PRESENTATION SPEECH

MADAM SPEAKER, I SEEK LEAVE TO PRESENT THE CRIMES

(AMENDMENT) BILL 1994.

THIS BILL COMPLEMENTS THE MENTAL HEALTH (TREATMENT AND

CARE) BILL 1994 WHICH IS ALSO BEING INTRODUCED IN ACCORDANCE

WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON

SOCIAL POLICY WHICH REPORTED ON THE THE MENTAL WELFARE AND

CRIMES (AMENDMENT) EXPOSURE DRAFT BILLS IN APRIL THIS YEAR.

THE MENTAL HEALTH TRIBUNAL ESTABLISHED BY THAT BILL WILL

HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN RELATION TO MENTALLY

DYSFUNCTIONAL PEOPLE WHO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IT HAS BEEN CLEAR FOR MANY YEARS THAT SOME MENTALLY

DYSFUNCTIONAL PEOPLE ARE INAPPROPRIATELY CAUGHT UP IN THE

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE PROVISIONS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH

(TREATMENT AND CARE) BILL WILL ALLOW POLICE OR THE DIRECTOR

OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS TO REFER PEOPLE TO THE TRIBUNAL TO

DETERMINE THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION FOR PERSONS WHO APPEAR

TO BE MENTALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL.

2256