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ACT introduces suite of legislation to improve access to justice
New legislation has been introduced by the ACT government to redesign and improve justice outcomes for all Canberrans.
Naomi Neilson
Source: wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Ramsay_(politician)
Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the suite of reforms ranged from establishing a drug and alcohol court, improvements for resolving pay disputes and a new scheme to protect vulnerable witnesses under cross-examination.
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“Improving access to justice in the ACT’s legal system has been an absolute priority for the government and this suite of reforms will ensure vulnerable people are able to better navigate the justice system,” minister Ramsay said.
Fair work legislation has been updated to demonstrate the government’s commitment to combating wage theft and improving access to justice by providing an efficient and accessible process for parties to resolve fair work matters in the ACT.
Minister Ramsay also introduced compulsory mediation for all fair work matters before the court which will assist parties to resolve disputes early with minimum legal form.
“The new laws will also allow officials of industrial associations to represent members in small claim matters before the court which will immensely benefit workers who do not have the financial capacity to pay for their own representation,” he said.
Changes to the Evidence Act will establish a legal framework for use of intermediaries and ground rules hearings in the ACT and will implement key recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse.
The introduction of an intermediary scheme “represents significant progress” by giving victims a voice in ACT’s criminal justice system, minister Ramsay said.
“Giving evidence can be a particularly daunting experience for children, and this will support young witnesses to better articulate their evidence in court proceedings, as well as their responses under cross-examination,” minister Ramsay said.
The government is also considering the passage of the ACT’s first Drug and Alcohol Court, which will make a “real difference” to offenders driven by addiction.
“The sentencing option will support high-risk and [high-need] offenders to turn their lives around under a strict reporting and rehabilitation program,” minister Ramsay said.
“Participating in DAC is voluntary and offenders are subject to intensive requirements such as being rigorously supervised and regularly tested. The DAC’s sentencing will provide both targeted and structured health and justice interventions for offenders and will begin operating at the end of this year.”
Minister Ramsay added the initiative will play a “key part” in the government’s target to reduce recidivism by 25 per cent by 2025, and aligns with its “Building Communities Not Prisons” initiative.
