Statutes Amendment (Explosives) Bill

Final Stages

The Legislative Council agreed to the bill with the amendments indicated by the following schedule, to which amendments the Legislative Council desires the concurrence of the House of Assembly:

No. 1. New clause, page 5, after line 20—After clause 5 insert:

5A—Review

(1) The Attorney-General must undertake a review of the operation and effectiveness of the amendments effected by this Part.

(2) The review required under this section must commence not later than 3 years after the commencement of this Part.

(3) The Attorney-General must prepare a report based on the review and must, within 12 sitting days after the report is prepared, cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament.

No. 2. Clause 6, page 8, after line 4—After inserted section 72E insert:

72F—Annual report on explosives powers

The following information must be included in the annual report of the Commissioner under section 75 of the Police Act 1998 (other than in the year in which this section comes into operation):

(a) the number of occasions on which the search powers under section 72D were exercised during the period to which the report relates; and

(b) the number of occasions on which property was seized as a result of the exercise of those search powers and the nature of the property seized; and

(c) whether any persons were charged with explosives offences (within the meaning of section 72D) in connection with the exercise of those search powers; and

(d) any other information requested by the Minister.

No. 3. New clause, page 8, after clause 6—After clause 6 insert:

6A—Review

(1) The Attorney-General must undertake a review of the operation and effectiveness of the amendments effected by this Part.

(2) The review required under this section must commence not later than 3 years after the commencement of this Part.

(3) The Attorney-General must prepare a report based on the review and must, within 12 sitting days after the report is prepared, cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament.

Consideration in committee.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I move:

That the Legislative Council's amendments be agreed to.

Because we are having such a rollicking good time today, I am going to be very brief and say that I indicate that we will be accepting the amendments from the other place. I will also say that I do not want to jinx this, but if the other place continues to function as it has been functioning for the last 24 hours, I, for one, will applaud that because it is such a refreshing and stimulating—

Mr Pengilly: Don't issue the challenge.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: No, I won't. Sorry, I withdraw everything I just said. I think the member for Finniss makes a very good point. Hansard, can you please delete every word I just said about that because I do not want them to respond in a contrary fashion? I love the amendments.

The CHAIR: You are agreeing with them?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Yes.

Motion carried.