Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-05-24 Daily Xml

Contents

Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 18 May 2016.)

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (17:38): I rise to speak very briefly on the Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Bill. In the main this is a technical bill aimed at addressing minor errors and other technical deficiencies in legislation. Areas of reform include changes regarding forensic procedures, changes to the Civil Liability Act, regarding admissions of fault and legal protections for apologies made in civil proceedings, changes regarding definitions applicable to vulnerable witnesses, accessibility to court records and upper maximum age limits for jurors, amongst others.

I am particularly pleased to see that this opportunity has been used to address some shortcomings in the Electoral Act, as they relate to political expenditure and donation disclosure thresholds for donors to political parties. I also note that the opposition did propose amendments in the other place, aimed at dealing with some of these areas of reform, and I certainly intend to consider those if they are moved in this place as well. With those very few words, I indicate my support for the second reading of the bill.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. G.E. Gago.