The Rockliff Liberal Government is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our children and young people with the Justice Miscellaneous (Royal Commission Amendments) Bill 2022 passing its second read through the Legislative Council.
Attorney-General, Elise Archer said the passing of the Bill is another important milestone in our ongoing work to advance the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, and better protect children and young people in Tasmania.
“Our Government continues to progress important actions that will better protect our children and young people,” the Attorney-General said.
“The Bill amends a range of Acts relating to the prosecution of sexual offences, and provides better access to justice for those affected by sexual violence.
“It will also hold people to account for failing to protect our children and better reflect the nature of offending perpetrated by those in positions of authority.”
The Bill creates new crimes for people in positions of authority, including specific crimes where a person in a position of authority sexually abuses a child and where a person in authority ‘fails to protect’ a child from a substantial risk of sexual abuse.
It also:
- removes all remaining limitation periods that apply to child sexual abuse offences in Tasmania;
- facilitates greater admissibility of tendency and coincidence evidence in child sexual abuse trials consistent with model provisions agreed by state and territory governments; and
- extends the classes of vulnerable witnesses who are eligible for special measures to support them to give evidence.
