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A-G welcomes cross border justice reform

The nation's first legal officer has welcomed the passage of legislation to support the streamlined delivery of law and justice services across jurisdictional boundaries.

August 21, 2009 • By The New Lawyer
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ATTORNEY-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage of legislation to support the streamlined delivery of law and justice services across jurisdictional boundaries.

 
 

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The Law and Justice (Cross Border and Other Amendments) Bill 2009 facilitates the operation of the Cross Border Justice Scheme which enables police, magistrates and other officials to operate across State and Territory borders to deal with offenders connected with the cross border NPY lands of Australia’s central desert.
 
The Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands cover some 450,000 square kilometres and straddle the borders of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
 
The Cross Border Justice Scheme is established under State and Territory legislation and was developed in response to community concerns that administration of the criminal justice system was being unnecessarily hampered by jurisdictional issues.  
 
The Scheme will help police and the courts improve public safety by more effectively addressing the high levels of family violence, substance and sexual abuse that exist in some communities in this remote region.
 
The Bill also makes a number of other changes to simplify cross border litigation by confirming the capacity of evidence to be given by audio or audiovisual link in interstate proceedings.
 
It also extends the range of subpoenas that can be served in civil proceedings between Australia and New Zealand.
 
The Bill represents the implementation of matters progressed through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. 

This is a republished press release sent out by the Attorney-General.


 

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