Page 986 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2018

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The Attorney-General advised that the council:

… agreed to the National statement of principles relating to the criminalisation of the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. These principles were attached to the Attorney-General’s response.

The Attorney-General further advised that:

… the principles were developed as best practice principles to be considered as each jurisdiction continues to develop and review its criminal law, policy and practices to suit local needs, and for each jurisdiction to adopt and implement as they see fit.

The ACT government is considering how to best give effect to the national statement of principles, and I anticipate providing further information on the government approach in the August sittings of the Legislative Assembly.

As members will be aware, a private member’s bill, the Crimes (Intimate Image Abuse) Amendment Bill 2017, was presented on 7 June 2017. That bill sought to amend the Crimes Act 1900 to create a new offence for people who distribute an intimate image of another person without consent. The bill was agreed to in principle after debate. During the detail stage a number of amendments were moved by the government, which received the support of all parties. The amended bill was passed by the Assembly on 16 August 2017.

In conclusion, the committee reiterates the importance of the right to petition parliament to highlight issues and directly influence the work of parliament. The petition referred to the committee was a request by a group of citizens that asked the Assembly to take action to solve a specific problem.

With the passing of the Crimes (Intimate Image Abuse) Amendment Bill 2017 on 16 August 2017, a new offence for people who distribute an intimate image of another person without consent was created. It is the committee’s view that this legislative change addresses the particulars of the referred petition and its requested action. The committee therefore wishes to advise that it has concluded its consideration of petition No 5-17, revenge porn—criminalisation, as referred to it pursuant to standing order 99A on 10 May 2017.

The committee notes that if petitioners have any further concerns regarding the particulars of petition No 5-17 and its requested action to raise such matters with a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Privileges 2018—Select Committee

Proposed establishment

Debate resumed.

MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (4.29): Under standing order 144, I seek leave to withdraw the amendment that I circulated this morning.


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