Improving criminal investigation and supporting the management of young adults in custody

This Act makes 22 miscellaneous amendments to 16 Acts in the Communities and Justice portfolio. It was one of 4 separate miscellaneous bills introduced in the Spring 2020 session of Parliament to assist consideration of a large number of reform proposals.

The Act addresses developments in case law, supports procedural improvements and closes gaps in the law relating to crimes. It includes amendments to:

• the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 to enable the use of lawfully obtained surveillance device material in certain proceedings.
• the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002 to provide certainty regarding criminal liability to police officers responding to evolving terrorist incidents.
• the Court Suppression and Non-publication Orders Act 2010 to extend the time limit for commencing a prosecution in the Local Court from 6 months to 2 years.
• the Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987 to address a need identified by Youth Justice for increased security while transporting National Security Interest detainees.
• align certain provisions of the Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987 with the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999.

The Act passed Parliament on 24 September 2020.

Link: Stronger Communities Legislation Amendment (Crimes) Act 2020.

Instructor:

Department of Communities and Justice

Drafter:

Michael Andrews, Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel

Production and Access:

Rebecca Prokop, Principal Production and Access Officer

Colleen Godfrey, Principal Production and Access Officer