Page 6051 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The proposal is consistent with the goals of the ACT family violence intervention program, a coordinated ACT government criminal justice and community response to criminal family violence. The ACT’s family violence intervention program is recognised as a world leader in its criminal justice approach to dealing with family violence and its innovative and collaborative response to family violence in the criminal justice system. A dedicated Family Violence Court will build on the success of this program to ensure improved access to justice for victims of family violence in the ACT.
The final reform contained in the bill is the statutory recognition of the specialist ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander circle sentencing court. The specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sentencing process, previously known as Ngambra Circle Sentencing Court, has existed as part of the ACT Magistrates Court practice since 2004. The purpose of the circle court is to provide a culturally relevant sentencing option in the ACT Magistrates Court jurisdiction for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have offended.
It is proposed that the circle court now be known as the Galambany Court. Galambany is a Ngunnawal word and was recommended by a Ngunnawal woman, Ros Brown, who is a member of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body. It means “we all, including you”.
This bill builds on the reforms the government is committed to implementing to improve the operation of the criminal justice system in the ACT and I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mrs Dunne) adjourned to the next sitting.
Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2010
Mr Corbell, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (10.26): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
The Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 proposes to enact a number of amendments to the ACT’s criminal laws. These amendments are required to provide our laws with greater clarity and consistency and to ensure that our criminal laws give effect to the intention of the Legislative Assembly at the time of enactment.
The bill proposes seven amendments to the Crimes Act 1900, the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005, the Criminal Code 2002 and the Prostitution Act 1992.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video