Bills

Criminal Law Consolidation (Assaults Causing Death) Amendment Bill

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (16:53): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 and to make related amendments to the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Act 1988. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (16:55): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

This bill could be summarised as a 'one punch' bill. There is a push to change the national culture which at the moment encourages excessive drinking. There are essentially two problems. One is binge drinking and intoxication by drugs that appears to be a cultural phenomenon in our society and the second is an increase in violence on the streets. We need laws that will send a strong message to the community, and to young people in particular, that alcohol and substance abuse are no excuse for violence. We must put an end to violence on our streets, particularly that which is fuelled by rampant alcohol abuse. I seek leave to conclude my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.