Page 3954 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 9 November 1994
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This variation was referred to the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure, as required by subsection 26(2) of the Land Act. The committee's report, which was tabled yesterday by my colleague Mr Berry, endorsed the variation, subject to the word "will" being inserted in lieu of the word "should" in subpoint (iii) of the specific requirements for the citations for the Aboriginal places PH12 and PH13. I can advise the Assembly that I agree with the intention of the change proposed by the committee, but for consistency in the Territory Plan the word "shall" needs to be used. Accordingly, I have asked the Planning Authority to change the words in the variation document, and this has been done. There are no costs to the ACT Government arising from this variation to the Territory Plan. Madam Speaker, the Executive has formally approved the variation under the provisions of the Land Act, having considered the committee's endorsement of the variation and accepted the changes proposed by the committee.
COMMUNITY LAW REFORM COMMITTEE
Victims of Crime Report - Government Response
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General and Minister for Health) (3.37): Madam Speaker, for the information of members, I present the ACT Government's response to the sixth report of the ACT Community Law Reform Committee entitled Victims of Crime and move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Victims of crime, in the past, have not been well treated by our criminal justice system. Their importance to the criminal justice system and their needs within it have not been adequately recognised. "Secondary victimisation" is a phrase commonly used to describe the experience of a victim within the criminal justice system. The ACT Community Law Reform Committee recognised that, rather than being a painful experience, the criminal justice system could be an instrument of healing for many victims. The reforms proposed by the Community Law Reform Committee were designed to ensure that the victim of crime is accorded a recognised and appropriate position within the criminal justice system. They underline the importance of a victim of crime being regarded as an important identity within the system rather than a mere peripheral player.
The committee recommended a comprehensive package of reforms in relation to victims of crime. These reforms were designed to improve the delivery of justice to the victims of crime by promoting awareness of their needs in the criminal justice system and society as a whole and by instituting specific programs to reduce the alienation of victims from the criminal justice process. These reforms seek to re-empower victims within the criminal justice system. Victims are given the recognition and status within that system that they need to ensure that their trauma is lessened rather than increased by the criminal justice process.
The recommendations made by the committee were the result of community effort. The wide range of submissions received by the committee, in writing and orally at the public hearings it conducted, enabled the committee to work from a broad community base. The committee also received input from the many interested governmental agencies
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