CTH Senate to Consider New Legislation on Child Sex Offences
On 11 September 2019, Attorney-General Christian Porter introduced the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2019 (Cth) (‘the Bill’) to the House of Representatives. The Bill was passed the House of Representatives on 15 October and was introduced to the Senate on 17 October. In his second reading speech, Mr Porter stated that the Bill is “an example of the government's commitment to protect children in Australia and overseas from the dangers of sexual exploitation and abuse and to improve justice outcomes for survivors of child sex offences”. If the Bill is passed by the Senate and receives assent it will initiate 4 major changes to the current framework for child sex offences which include:
Bills To Introduce National Self-Exclusion from Gambling Register Pass CTH Parliament
On 27 November 2019, the Interactive Gambling Amendment (National Self-exclusion Register) Bill 2019 (Cth) (“the Interactive Gambling Bill”) and the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2019 (Cth) (“the Cost Recovery Levy Bill”) were introduced into the Commonwealth House of Representatives by the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher.
NT Introduces Bill To Reform Sexual Assault Speech Laws
On 28 November 2019, the Sexual Offences (Evidence and Procedure) Amendment Bill 2019 (NT) (the “Bill”) was introduced to NT’s Legislative Assembly (the “Assembly”) by the Hon Nicole Manison. The Bill was immediately referred to the Legislation Scrutiny Committee for report by 24 March 2020. The Bill proposes amendments to:
WA Introduces New Laws to Tackle Family and Domestic Violence
The Family Violence Legislation Reform Bill 2019 (WA) (the Bill) was introduced into the WA Parliament on Wednesday 27 November 2019 by Mr JR Quigley (the Attorney-General). In a Media Release, the Government has indicated that the reforms proposed by the Bill represent the “most comprehensive family violence law reform package ever seen in Western Australia” and “address a number of election commitments around family violence.”
Tasmania Introduces Bill to Increase Property Surcharges for Foreign Investors
On 12 November 2019, the Duties Amendment Bill 2019 (Tas) (the “Bill”) was introduced to Tasmania’s House of Assembly (the “Assembly”) by the Hon Peter Gutwein. The Bill passed the Assembly on 26 November 2019 and was immediately introduced to the Legislative Council (the “Council”) on the same day. The Bill, which proposes amendments to the Duties Act 2001 (the “Act”), is currently before the Council and.
CTH Bill To Prohibit Energy Market Misconduct Passed and Awaiting Assent
On 18 September 2019, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Prohibiting Energy Market Misconduct) Bill 2019 (Cth) (“the Bill”) was introduced to the House of Representatives by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. The Bill passed both houses of parliament on 25 November 2019 and is currently awaiting assent.
WA Bill to Repeal Laws on Imprisonment for Unpaid Fines
The Fines, Penalties and Infringement Notices Enforcement Amendment Bill 2019 (the Bill) was introduced in the WA Parliament on 26 September 2019, by WA Attorney-General, Mr JR Quigley, (the Attorney-General). In his media release of 25 September 2019, the Attorney-General said that the Bill would introduce a package of “amendments to existing legislation [that] will significantly change the way fines are enforced and recovered in WA”; as well as including proposed reforms that aim to “address over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the justice system and have a positive impact on the regions”.
Victoria Releases Draft Residential Tenancies Regulations
On 12 November 2019, the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety released the draft Residential Tenancies Regulations 2020 (Vic) (“the draft Regulations”) for public consultation. The draft Regulations are scheduled for implementation by 1 July 2020, in time to support amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) (“the Act”) by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018 (Vic) (“the Amending Act”), that are yet to commence.
SA Legal Practitioners: Foreign Lawyers and Trustee Companies Amendments
The Legal Practitioners (Foreign Lawyers) Amendment Bill 2019 (SA) (the Bill) was introduced into the South Australian Assembly on 14 November 2019 by the Attorney-General, VA Chapman. The Bill proposes to amend the Legal Practitioners Act 1981 (the LPA) by inserting provisions regulating the practice of foreign law by foreign lawyers in SA and providing for their local registration and regulation. It also makes changes relating to trustee companies coming within the definition of “incorporated legal practice” used in the LPA.
Tasmania Introduces Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Bill 2019
On 14 November 2019 the Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Bill 2019 (Tas) (“the Bill”) was introduced into Tasmania’s House of Assembly (“Assembly”) by Minister for Primary Industries and Water, the Hon Guy Barnett.
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