March 29 2018 Improved Child Sex Abuse action legislation passes Legislative Council The Civil Liability Legislation Amendment (Child Sexual Abuse Actions) Bill 2017 today passed the Legislative Council after the State Government agreed to amendments, proposed by the Liberal Opposition, which significantly improved the legislation. Shadow Attorney General Michael Mischin said the Government had failed to consult sufficiently on its Bill and barged it through the Lower House without having thought about many issues regarding how it would operate. Mr Mischin said the Government could not give answers to many questions the Parliament asked concerning the Bill, and was disappointingly reluctant to entertain suggestions for its improvement. “I am pleased that, with the support of the Nationals, Greens and Liberal Democrat, we were able to ensure the changes made by the Bill would be reviewed in three years’ time, to ensure it is meeting its objectives and that any problems that emerge are addressed,” Mr Mischin said. “The Opposition always supported the objectives of the legislation, however, we were anxious to ensure that it would do what was claimed for it, that the expectations raised by the Government will not be disappointed, and that there were no undesirable consequences. “We remain far from satisfied, but a statutory review of the legislation, which the Government had not included in the original Bill and only agreed to reluctantly, and wanted to be put off for five years, will be important to identify any flaws that are revealed over time and need to be corrected in the interests of justice.” “I am pleased we have been able to secure some significant changes to the legislation to improve it, make it workable and make sure it meets its intentions. “Attorney General Quigley’s offensive and immature comments about the Opposition with respect to this legislation, and his demands that it be rushed through without proper consideration, reflects badly on him and shows this Government’s arrogance and contempt for Parliamentary process and public accountability. “We hope that when the Bill returns to the Legislative Assembly on 10 April he will accept the improvements that the Legislative Council has passed and not delay its passage much longer than necessary. As it is, the Government has acknowledged it may be several months before it can be operational.” Mr Mischin commended Shadow Minister for Child Protection, Nick Goiran, for his skilful analysis of the Bill and those non-Government Members of Parliament who supported the amendments proposed by the Opposition. “The Legislative Council has an obligation to act as the House of Review and the changes made to this legislation have shown we will not be this arrogant and sloppy Government’s rubber stamp for its inadequate legislation, no matter how much a Minister demands we rush it through,” Mr Mischin said. Media Contact |
