❓ Hon. Kate Doust questions the Attorney General regarding the delay in introducing foetal homicide laws, accusing him of misleading the house, incompetence, or laziness. The Attorney General responds, citing issues with the drafted legislation and plans to include it in a broader domestic violence package.
AnsweredQoN 1443Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FOETAL
HOMICIDE LAWS — DRAFTING PROGRESS
1443. Hon KATE DOUST to the Attorney General:
I refer to foetal homicide laws. On
six separate occasions since May 2013 I have asked about the progress of the
drafting and introduction of foetal homicide laws into this Parliament. On the
last occasion, on 20 August 2015, the Attorney General said a bill had been
drafted and he intended to introduce it shortly. It is now December 2015 and we
still have not seen the bill. Is the Attorney General —
(a) misleading the house;
(b) incompetent; or
(c) lazy?
HOMICIDE LAWS — DRAFTING PROGRESS
1443. Hon KATE DOUST to the Attorney General:
I refer to foetal homicide laws. On
six separate occasions since May 2013 I have asked about the progress of the
drafting and introduction of foetal homicide laws into this Parliament. On the
last occasion, on 20 August 2015, the Attorney General said a bill had been
drafted and he intended to introduce it shortly. It is now December 2015 and we
still have not seen the bill. Is the Attorney General —
(a) misleading the house;
(b) incompetent; or
(c) lazy?
AnswerView source ↗
Oh dear! Are we not sad little acts over there?
I thank the member for the question.
(a)–(c) The legislation has been
prepared; however, there are issues with it. I have taken the counsel of
colleagues within the party on certain issues arising out of the manner in
which the legislation has been drafted. It is my view that the legislation, to
the extent that it is required to change the law, is better presented as part
of a package of legislation to deal with domestic and family violence that is
currently being prepared and proposed to be introduced into this place early
next year. The legislation raises certain issues of a legal nature that have
required some careful consideration and I have taken on board differing views
on the approach that ought to be taken with that legislation.
I thank the member for the question.
(a)–(c) The legislation has been
prepared; however, there are issues with it. I have taken the counsel of
colleagues within the party on certain issues arising out of the manner in
which the legislation has been drafted. It is my view that the legislation, to
the extent that it is required to change the law, is better presented as part
of a package of legislation to deal with domestic and family violence that is
currently being prepared and proposed to be introduced into this place early
next year. The legislation raises certain issues of a legal nature that have
required some careful consideration and I have taken on board differing views
on the approach that ought to be taken with that legislation.
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