Attorney-General, we can all agree that access to justice is critical for justice to be done fairly and in the manner in which we want the justice system to perform. The Commonwealth Budget has recently allocated $44.1 million, an announcement by the Treasurer, to provide an immediate funding boost to the legal assistance sector. Can you tell me how much of that $44.1 million is coming to us, and when the payments will flow?
Minister, I have a constituent who was abused as a decision by a justice in 1954 not to determine custody of the children. This child was placed in various informal foster arrangements and has suffered lifelong damage. So, this is not a case of someone who experienced abuse in an institutional setting; it is someone who was abused as a result of a decision of a Tasmanian institution. Where does someone like that go for justice?
Honourable Speaker, I indicate that this is a bill which falls into Cassy O'Connor MLC, member for Hobart's portfolio, so I am taking carriage of this through the House on her behalf. It is the intention of the Greens to support this bill, but we have a lot of questions and some amendments which we have flagged and circulated to members.
Obviously, this is necessary legislation which progresses recommendation 16.11 of the commission of inquiry to clarify the operation of special measures for children and affected persons who are witnesses at trials related to child sexual abuse.
Mr President, of course I support this Justice Miscellaneous (Commission of Inquiry) Bill of 2024 and we believe it faithfully reflects the commission's recommendations: 16.9, 16.13, 16.14, 16.18, 17.4, 17.5 and 18.12.
Honourable Deputy Speaker, it is important that we recognise what we are doing today. It is a further step towards rectifying the injustices that occurred to Tasmanians over decades because of the state‑sanctioned criminalisation of people for homosexuality and cross‑dressing.
In a big win for those who have advocated for reform for many years, today the Greens' bill to decriminalise begging in Tasmania passed its finally parliamentary hurdle and will become law.
The passage of this bill through the parliament is wonderful news and a step toward decriminalising poverty in Tasmania. Nobody has been charged with the offence of begging since 2018, but this law has been used by police to target those vulnerable in our community who are resorting to begging - as the government itself has admitted.
We cannot make legislation that will have a disproportionate impact, potentially, on people who are experiencing acute psychological distress.
Deputy Speaker, I thank the minister for bringing the bill on. It is unusual that I jump to speak at this point. The reason I am doing that is because I am proposing that we adjourn this bill today to debate it at another time, that other time being 10 September. I will explain my reasons.