Evidence (Journalists) Amendment 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. Clause 3, page 3, lines 5 to 7 [clause 3, inserted section 72(2)]—Delete subsection (2)

No. 2. Page 3, clause 3, line 35 [clause 3, inserted section 72B(2)]—After 'or' insert:

(subject to subsection (2a))

No. 3. Page 3, clause 3, after line 38 [clause 3, inserted section 72B]—After subsection (2) insert:

(2a) The court may only make orders on its own motion if—

(a) all parties to the proceedings before the court are not legally represented; or

(b) the court is of a kind that does not make orders on application by parties.

No. 4. Clause 3, page 4, after line 9—Insert:

72C—Review of Part

(1) The Minister must cause a review of the operation of this Part to be conducted and a report on the review to be prepared and submitted to the Minister.

(2) The review and the report must be completed after the third but before the fourth anniversary of the commencement of this Part.

(3) The Minister must cause a copy of the report submitted under subsection (1) to be laid before both Houses of Parliament within 6 sitting days after receiving the report.

Consideration in committee.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: I move:

That the Legislative Council's amendments Nos 1 to 4 be agreed to.

The Legislative Council has presented to us four amendments to the Evidence (Journalists) Amendment Bill 2018. I indicate that the government accepts the amendments and, in doing so, I thank those in the other place for their consideration of this bill, their approval of it and their contribution through amendments, which are relatively minor but do provide for a review of the legislation.

Although the government has taken the view that this is not new law around the country—in fact, we were one of the last of the jurisdictions to actually adopt shield laws, as this type of legislation is called, around the country—we will accept the review process. I again place on record my appreciation to those who have given this matter careful consideration, with the ultimate support of the opposition in respect of this legislation. It has been a long time coming. I think this is the third bill of this nature that we have put up in the time that I have been in the parliament. It is a great day for journalists and it is an even greater day for members of the public.

Motion carried.