Elise Archer,
Attorney General
Today I tabled the Justice and Related Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments Bill 2022 which is continuing our Government’s strong record of legislative reform that benefits our State.
The Bill updates and clarifies a number of legislative provisions to ensure the effective administration of justice across a number of areas.
This includes amending the:
- Animal Welfare Act 1993 to extend the Court’s ability to prohibit a person having custody of animals where a person has been convicted of bestiality;
- Criminal Code Act 1924 by including a definition of bestiality, clarifying that bestiality includes sexual activity of any kind between a human being and an animal;
- Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999 to:
- clarify the circumstances in which a Magistrate may approve a proposed change of name for a child: and
- amend the long title of the Act to recognise it provides legal recognition for trans and gender-diverse Tasmanians, giving effect to a recommendation of the TLRI Legal Recognition of Sex and Gender Final Report No.31;
- Coroners Act 1995 by legislating to require the Court to provide the senior next of kin, along with others who have a ‘sufficient interest’ in the death, with specific information about the operation of the Coroners Act;
- Dangerous Criminals and High Risk Offenders Act 2021, to ensure decision-making processes are properly and fully informed by key parole information, for the protection of the community; and
- Traffic Act 1925 to provide for a longer limitation period on the filing of complaints for the offences of negligent driving causing death, and negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm, in order to provide adequate time for proper investigation and review of such incidents.
The Bill also makes minor amendments to the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005 and Sex Industry Offences Act 2005.
As Attorney-General I remain committed to ensuring that our legislation remains contemporary, is fit for purpose, and in line with community expectations.
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