Legislative Changes, Law and Order

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:45): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General tell the council about this government's reforms in the space of law and order which resulted from directly listening to and working with victims and their families?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his question, which was about reforms that have been made in the justice and law and order space which have resulted from directly listening to and working with victims and their families. Earlier this week in the chamber I spoke of reforms we have made in the first three years of this government in relation to the horrific case of Mr Hind's murder and the reforms that progressed as a result of listening to the advocacy of the late Mr Hind's parents in terms of disposal and the hiding of human remains.

Also, honourable members would recall the tragic death of 15-year-old Sophia Naismith, who was killed in 2019 after being hit by an out-of-control high-powered sports car. In another brave act of advocacy, Sophia's family advocated for change and generously met with representatives from government, including myself, to push for new laws around careless driving and the regulation of such high-powered vehicles. Having met with Sophia's parents, Pia and Luke, I can attest to their incredible ability to turn a personal tragedy into meaningful change that will make life better for others in the future.

As a result of listening to Pia and Luke, the government introduced and passed laws that have since come into effect, which include a new offence of causing death or serious harm by the careless use of a vehicle or vessel, featuring a penalty of up to seven years in jail for an aggravated offence, with a licence disqualification of at least three years; for a basic offence, the penalty is now up to five years in jail, with a licence disqualification of at least 12 months.

We have also given police greater powers to suspend a driver's licence on the spot when they are involved in a serious crash, and have prevented drivers of ultra high-powered vehicles from disabling automatic intervention systems, which comes with a fine of up to $5,000. Further reforms have also included a new licence class for such ultra high-powered vehicles.

I am proud to be part of a government that meets with people, listens to concerns and takes action, where necessary, if there are gaps in our law that don't meet community expectations, particularly those with the advocacy of victims' families.