STANDING COMMITTEE ON LAW AND JUSTICE

Mr BIGNELL (Mawson) (14:36): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General please inform the house about outcomes of the recent meetings of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice in Launceston, and the implications for South Australia?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for his question. Last Friday I attended a meeting of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice in Launceston, that is, the committee formally known as SCAG.

Mr Pisoni: Was that the main outcome; that you changed the name of it?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: We did other things. The meeting covered a number of national issues including DNA evidence, synthetic drugs, and serious and organised crime. Many of these matters, particularly the serious and organised crime matters, have confronted jurisdictions around the country with similar problems. We understand now, from the information we received at that meeting, that Western Australia will be introducing new serious and organised crime legislation later this week. Incidentally, I can say that New South Wales is looking at amendments to its legislation, as is the Northern Territory, which I believe has also recently introduced amendments.

All of the attorneys present expressed a strong commitment to serious and organised crime laws, but all stressed the importance of making sure that we do not take the risk of further High Court challenges, at least inasmuch as we are able to avoid them, given the current information. The commonwealth, state and territory solicitors-general will be meeting in Hobart this week to discuss legislation to combat serious and organised crime. Finalising our laws in relation to this (the announcement of which occurred some time ago) will be benefited by these national discussions to ensure that the best possible laws are put in place to protect all South Australians. I expect to bring forward bills to this parliament early in the new year.