Page 2288 - Week 07 - Thursday, 16 June 1994

Other ACT Government agencies have set in train procedures incorporating the

empowerment principle in the development of policy and programs particularly relevant

to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.

LAW AND JUSTICE

The Government has implemented a number of legislative reforms in accordance with the

recommendations of the Royal Commission. Since its formation in March 1993, the

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council has had a role in commenting on

this legislation.

The Bail Act 1992, which clarified and consolidated the law of bail and implemented

recommendations on bail procedures, came into effect in November 1992. The Evidence

(Amendment) Act 1993 and the Crimes (Amendment) Act 1993 have implemented the

Commission's recommendations concerning the use of interpreters in courts. The Crimes

(Amendment) Act (No 2)1993, which implements recommendations on sentencing, gives

effect to the principle that imprisonment should be utilised only as a last resort. The

Coroners (Amendment) Bill (No 2) 1993 addresses the recommendations in relation to

coronial inquests.

The Government has also tabled the Domestic Relationships Bill 1993, which gives effect

to most of the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission's Report on

Customary Law. Following tabling, the Government has initiated extensive community

consultation concerning these bills.

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