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Call for submissions

Submissions for this Inquiry closed on 16 January 2017.

Committee Report

The Committee's report on the Bill was tabled on 27 February 2017.  A copy of the Report can be viewed here - Report No 49, 55th Parliament – Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation  Amendment Bill 2016. 

The second reading debate on the Bill is available here (from page 759). 

Inquiry timeline

Public briefing

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General provided a public briefing to the committee on Wednesday 25 January 2017. 

Public hearing

The committee held a public hearing on the Bill on Wednesday 25 January 2017. 

Referral

On 1 December 2016 the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills, the Hon Yvette D’Ath MP, introduced the Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016.

In accordance with Standing Order 131 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly, the Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee (the committee) for detailed consideration. The committee tabled its report on 27 February 2017.

The Bill

The policy objectives of the Bill are to:

• implement the recommendations of the Final Report of the Review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009 (review report) and ensure the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009 (VOCA Act) continues to provide an effective response to assist victims of crime;

• introduce a sexual assault counselling privilege; and

• give victims of a sexual offence who are to give evidence in a criminal proceeding against the accused automatic status as a special witness.