Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-03-07 Daily Xml

Contents

Victims of Crime Fund

In reply to the Hon. F. PANGALLO ().9 February 2023).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): I have been advised:

The Commissioner for Victims Rights (commissioner) has advised that she will always do her utmost to ensure that victims are appropriately represented in proceedings of this nature.

Outside of specific legal representation, the next of kin will be heard in these proceedings through a formal report prepared by Forensic Court Services with input from the next of kin, which must be received and considered by the court before a determination is made.

It is the role of the prosecution to provide support to families and to inform the court of the views of victims and also wider community interests. As there were unique circumstances in this specific case, funding had been provided to assist the family to address an initial application made by the defendant.

In relation to the most recent application for funding, the commissioner consulted with the lawyer who represented the family last time. Having regard to the advice the commissioner received, she formed the view that the family's voice would be heard in these proceedings without separate legal representation.