Page 798 - Week 03 - Thursday, 25 March 1993
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This Bill presents only one aspect of the Government's commitment to providing an effective and just criminal justice system. Other aspects of reform which the Government is pursuing include a review of penalties; development of a crime prevention strategy for the ACT community; references to the Community Law Reform Committee on victims of crime, domestic violence legislation, and public assembly and behaviour; improvements to court facilities so as to facilitate improved access and security arrangements; and a program for development of Corrective Services following the report of the Corrections Review Committee.
Mr Deputy Speaker, this Bill will help make sentencing more understandable to the public by spelling out principles, most of which were previously found only in the common law. It is the Government's intention, Mr Deputy Speaker, that this Bill should probably remain on the table in this place for some time. We will not be seeking rapid passage of this Bill, as it does contain some important principles which should be subject to considerable community debate. I present the explanatory memorandum to the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.
ADOPTION (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1993
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General, Minister for Housing and Community Services and Minister for Urban Services) (11.06): Mr Deputy Speaker, I present the Adoption (Consequential Amendments) Bill 1993.
Title read by Clerk.
MR CONNOLLY: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Mr Deputy Speaker, on 18 November 1992 the Adoption Bill was presented to the Assembly. That Bill, which related to the adoption of children in the ACT, is aimed at vastly reforming existing legislation in line with modern adoption thinking and legislation, both in Australia and overseas. The Bill was referred to the Social Policy Committee of the Assembly. The committee presented its report and recommendations to the Speaker of the Assembly on 16 March. The Government's response was presented to the Assembly on Tuesday, 23 March, and yesterday the Bill was debated and passed.
The passing of the Adoption Bill will require changes to several other Bills which mention the old Adoption of Children Act 1965, and this Bill effects these changes. The Bill was not debated concurrently with the Adoption Bill because of the process of referring that Bill to the committee, and the fact that we were not entirely sure as to the final shape of the Bill until it passed this place yesterday afternoon. I present the explanatory memorandum to the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mrs Carnell) adjourned.
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