Bills

Criminal Law Consolidation (Supervision Requirements) Amendment Bill

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (20:35): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935; and to make related amendments to the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006 and the Victims of Crime Act 2001. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (20:36): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

This bill is part of a package of three bills which aims to address shortcomings of the criminal justice system when it comes to drug users. My remarks on the bills will be very brief today, as my intention was not to make my entire second reading today, but rather to introduce the bills so that they can be circulated and considered over the break.

In a nutshell, the bills will seek to address the current abuse of the use of the mental impairment defence, the need for mandatory drug rehabilitation for drug addicted persons at the request of their family members, and the evidentiary difficulties in establishing that intoxicated drivers who are involved in incidents occasioning death or grievous bodily harm ought to be convicted of dangerous driving. These are the basic principles of the bills.

As I said before, this is the first of a package of three bills. I will only be introducing two today; however, a further bill will be circulated during the break. It was very important for me to take this opportunity to introduce the bills into the place today so that all parties, particularly the government and the opposition, can use the break to consider the bill and consult with stakeholders. Of course, my office and I will be consulting with stakeholders and will be available to brief other members. With that, I seek leave to conclude my remarks at a later stage.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.