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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-26 Daily Xml
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SPENT CONVICTIONS BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 30 October 2008. Page 732.)

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (11:28): I rise to speak on this very important bill, because a number of South Australians are suffering the consequences of having a misspent past, a misspent youth. In some cases, they are suffering the dire consequences of their silly actions which were not malicious or criminal as judged by today's standards but which years ago were certainly criminal actions. Today we should be able to put in place a system where those convictions of the past could be wiped off the books so that they are not an impediment to any future involvement in activities by these people, particularly where the person involved has had a completely clean record since the conviction and gone on to be a fine, upstanding citizen and pillar of society.

I know of a case, which I will refer to—and I will continue my remarks next time—that happened nearly 50 years ago. This was between a 17 year old boy who had consenting sex with a 13 year old girl. It was known as carnal knowledge at the time, not sexual assault, but that bit of hanky-panky, as it has been described to me, has had ramifications. I think anything with a 13 year old girl needs to be brought into question, but this was 50 years ago.

This fellow is paying dire consequences. As far as I am aware, he has had no further involvement with the law since that time. However, he is paying the penalty for a stupid act—and he admits it was a stupid act. He is quite friendly with this now senior lady. At the time he was doing what a lot of young people do—and, unfortunately, it is happening now—namely, engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Debate adjourned.

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