Page 2823 - Week 09 - Thursday, 13 August 2015

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In addition to the amendments I have already mentioned, the bill also makes a number of minor amendments to criminal legislation to ensure efficiency and consistency within the criminal justice system. The bill provides extra protections and support to members of the community and makes tangible steps in promoting many of the government’s priorities by extending appropriate protections to disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Hanson) adjourned to the next sitting.

Victims of Crime (Victims Services Levy) Amendment Bill 2015

Mr Corbell, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.

Title read by Clerk.

MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Health, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Capital Metro) (10.37): I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

I am pleased to present the Victims of Crime (Victims Services Levy) Amendment Bill 2015. This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act 1994 to implement a $10 increase in the victims services levy. The bill increases the prescribed amount in section 24(2) of the Victims of Crime Act 1994 from $30 to $40. The victims services levy is imposed on adults who are ordered by the court to pay a fine in relation to an offence. A $10 victims services levy was first introduced in 2007 and was last increased in 2013. The levy is also included within the prescribed amount for traffic infringement notices. The increase ensures those who offend also take responsibility for assisting victims through this modest levy.

The increase to the levy made by this bill was reflected in the 2015-16 budget and is projected to generate sufficient revenue to offset the administrative and transition costs of the new victims of crime financial assistance scheme. The Victims of Crime Commissioner will administer the new scheme to provide for holistic case management and support for victims of crime applying for financial assistance. The funding raised by the increased levy will cover the costs of additional staff in Victims Support ACT required to implement the new financial assistance scheme.

This scheme will make the process of accessing financial assistance more user friendly, timely and predictable for victims of crime. A proportion of the revenue will also be used for set up costs including office equipment and a future review of the scheme.

Schedule 1 includes technical amendments made under the government’s technical amendment program to correct oversights in consequential amendments which meant that offences committed under the heavy vehicle national law and four parking


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