Increased Penalties for Failure to Comply with Vic Dangerous Goods Laws
The Dangerous Goods Amendment (Penalty Reform) Bill 2019 (Vic) (“the Bill”) was introduced into the Victorian Legislative Assembly by Attorney-General Jill Hennessy on 27 August 2019. The Bill was the Government's response to the discovery of various chemical waste stockpiles in Victoria, which also sparked a parliamentary committee inquiry into recycling and waste management in Victoria. The Bill passed both houses of parliament by 31 October 2019 without amendment. On 6 November 2019, the Bill received the royal assent. The whole of the Dangerous Goods Amendment (Penalty Reform) Act 2019 (Vic) (“the Act”) commenced on 7 November 2019.
Bill to Modernise Vic Appeals System Introduced
The Justice Legislation Amendment (Criminal Appeals) Bill 2019 (Vic) (the “Bill”) was introduced into Victoria’s Legislative Assembly (“Assembly”) on 16 October 2019, by the Attorney-General, Minister for Workplace Safety, the Hon Jill Hennessy. The Bill passed the Assembly on 31 October 2019 and was introduced to the Legislative Council (“Council”) on the same day.
CTH Act Expanding Police Powers at Airports Receives Assent
On 28 October, the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Police Powers at Airports) Act 2019 (Cth) (‘the Act’) received assent as Act 89 of 2019. Currently, the Act is awaiting commencement by proclamation. The Bill was initially introduced on 4 July by Mr Peter Dutton, the Minster for Home Affairs. The purpose of the Act is to amend the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) in order to implement:
New Laws to Better Protect ACT Heritage
On 24 October 2019 the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Mr Mick Gentleman (the Minister), presented the Heritage Amendment Bill 2019 (the Bill) to the ACT Assembly. The key purpose of the Bill is stated as being the making of a range of amendments to ". . . strengthen the way damage to heritage places and objects can be dealt with to both deter people from doing damage in the first place and to make them responsible for repairing any damage to heritage places or objects."
VIC Bill Targets Illegal Phoenix Activity
On 29 October 2019, the Minister for Planning Richard Wynne introduced the Building and Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 (VIC) (“the Bill”) into the Victorian Legislative Assembly. In particular, the Bill makes amendments to give additional powers to the Victorian Building Authority (“the VBA”) to investigate and curb illegal phoenix activity.
ACT Bill to Target Criminal Gang Activity
The Crimes (Disrupting Criminal Gangs) Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 (ACT) (the “Bill”) was introduced to ACT’s Legislative Assembly (the “Assembly”) on 24 October 2019 by the Attorney-General, the Hon Gordon Ramsay. The Bill proposes amendments to the following ACT legislation:
Parliamentary Committee Releases Report on Commonwealth Identity-Matching Bills
On 2 August 2019, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (“the Committee”) commenced its inquiry into the Identity-matching Services Bill 2019 (Cth) (“the IMS Bill”) and the Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2019 (Cth) (“the Passports Amendment Bill”). Submissions from the public were closed on 6 September 2019. On 24 October 2019, the Committee tabled its final report.
WA Bill to Provide for Greater Protection in Family Court Matters
The Family Court Amendment Bill 2019 (WA) (the “Bill”) was introduced into WA’s Parliament on 16 October 2019, by the Attorney-General, the Hon John Quigley. The Bill proposes amendments to the Family Court Act 1997 (WA) (the “WA Act”) to “provide protection in relation to the cross-examination of parties who are parents of ex-nuptial children or who were in a de-facto relationship”.
New Permanent Court of Appeal for South Australia
On 16 October 2019, the South Australian Attorney-General, Vickie Chapman (the Attorney-General) introduced the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) Amendment Bill 2019 (No 109 of 2019) into the South Australian Parliament. The Bill proposes to establish a "permanent court of appeal" in South Australia, as a division of the Supreme Court of South Australia. The key benefit that the government sees as flowing from the establishment of a court of appeal for South Australia is ". . . a more effective and efficient means of disposing [of] the appellate work of the Supreme Court".
Cth Introduces Bill to Improve Native Title Claims Process
On 17 October, the Attorney General, Mr Christian Porter introduced and gave the second reading speech for the Native Title Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 (Cth) (‘the Bill’) to the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth Parliament. The aim of the Bill is firstly, to provide a more supportive and streamlined framework for the systems of resolution for native title claims and agreement-making for land use, and secondly, to grant greater autonomy for native title groups in the processes of decision-making and dispute resolution concerning the land.
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