Bills

Evidence (Records and Documents) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 27 November 2015.)

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (16:49): I rise to close the debate. The Evidence (Records and Documents) Amendment Bill amends the Evidence Act 1929 to reflect modern technological modes of communication and generation of material. The current law in South Australia has not been amended with the advance of the modern electronic age. Hear, hear! Provisions of the Evidence Act 1929 to facilitate the proof and admission of computer-generated evidence are archaic and not utilised in practice, I am advised. Further, there are no provisions directed towards proof and admission of electronic communications.

In practice, it appears that the courts and litigants improvise and work around the current law. It is unsatisfactory that such a significant aspect of modern practice should be subject to such outdated laws. I would like to thank the opposition for their indications of support for this legislation and look forward to a swift passage through the committee stage.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (16:51): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.