Page 1687 - Week 06 - Thursday, 23 July 2020
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I thank Ms Yates for her input. We have had discussions with her along the way. I reiterate my thanks to her and her predecessor, John Hinchey, for the work they have done and their advocacy in getting us to this point. I encourage the government to consider the points that she has made, and I make the point that if we do form government past October, we will work with the commissioner on those points.
It is fair to say that this legislation has taken some time. I think that I was a bit like a broken record in various annual reports and estimates hearings in asking where this work was up to. In briefings with the minister’s office, it has been explained that this was due to working with the affected agencies, which would have considerable new obligations placed on them to develop and agree to a workable model. Regardless of that, we are here now, and that is a good thing. I thank the government for bringing this forward. It is something that enjoys strong tripartisan support in this place.
The act has a delayed start date to enable agencies to prepare and will be reviewed three years after commencement; but I make the point that if some of the issues that are raised by the commissioner can be adopted as part of this legislation at an earlier point, that should be considered.
Given all the work that has been done to date and our long support for the victims’ rights charter to support a rebalancing of the scales of justice, I support this bill. I see this as a very important piece of legislation. I thank the minister for a briefing and I thank all of those who have been involved in getting us to this point today. I hope most sincerely that this piece of legislation makes the often very traumatic experience of victims of crime an easier one. It is always a difficult situation, and I hope it makes it in some way better.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (5.49), in reply: I am pleased to close the debate on the Victims Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2020. This bill is a significant step towards fully recognising victims of crime and justice outcomes. It will have real-life impacts on ACT community members and change the way that people affected by crime as victims experience the justice system.
The ACT has a strong history of initiatives that improve access to justice and build on our position as a human rights jurisdiction. Such initiatives are important for all Canberrans, but particularly for marginalised community members for whom interactions with crime and the justice system can shape their lives in deep and ongoing ways.
This bill establishes a charter of rights for victims of crime. Despite the excellent frontline work of ACT justice agencies who support victims of crime and work to achieve justice every day, being part of the process can still be a re-traumatising experience for victims. The justice system can be confusing and difficult to navigate, and a lack of community awareness about justice processes and the role of the victim can leave them feeling disempowered. At worst, this can deter survivors and people adversely impacted by crime from reporting crimes to police or cooperating with
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