Law Making & Law Reform

 


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New Laws to Protect Workers

New laws to protect workers who are assaulted while performing their work duties were passed in Parliament recently and will commence operation on 1 May 2013.

Criminal Code Amendment (Assaults on Workers) Bill 2013

This Bill introduces a new offence of assaulting a worker who is working in the performance of his or her duties as a worker.

This following fact sheet - pdf | word outlining further detail of the new offence of assaulting a worker.

 

Sentencing Amendment (Mandatory Minimum Sentences) Act 2013

This following fact sheet - pdf | word outlining changes to the Sentencing Act to introduce mandatory minimum sentences, including for the new offence of assaulting a worker.

 

Enforcement of Articles and By-Laws Under the Unit Titles Act and The Unit Title Schemes Act and Other Issues

This discussion paper has been prepared to seek contributions from the community on issues related to the enforcement of articles under the Unit Titles Act and by-laws under the Unit Title Schemes Act, with a view to reform both Acts.  In addition, this discussion paper also seeks submissions on a range of other issues concerning the current Unit Titles Act and Unit Title Schemes Act including the regulation of body corporate management agreements, insurance, and overcrowding of units.

Submissions due 30 April 2013

Issues Paper - pdf

Comments and feedback should be sent to

Director Legal Policy
Department of the Attorney-General and Justice
 GPO Box 1722 DARWIN  NT  0801

Or by email to Policy.AGD@nt.gov.au

Report – Review of Part 3.3 Care and Protection of Children Act (Section 222)

A review has been conducted, as required by section 222 of the Care and Protection of Children Act, of the operation of Part 3.3 of the Act (which established the Child Deaths Review and Prevention Committee).  A copy of the report on the ‘Review of Part 3.3 Care and Protection of Children Act (section 222) – 22 November 2012’ can be found here - pdf | word


Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Act and the Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2012)

These documents describe the evidence law of the Northern Territory as it will exist from 1 January 2013 (being the date of commencement of the Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Act and the Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2012). 

It comprises:

Part A
Questions and answers about the evidence law of the NT pdf | word

Part B
Comparison of statutory provisions in force in the NT before 1 January 2013 with those in force from 1 January 2013 pdf | word

Part C
Summary differences between the evidence law of the NT before 1 January 2013 and the law in force from 1 January 2013 pdf | word

Part D
Relationship between the Evidence Act, the Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Act and the Sexual Offences (Evidence and Procedure) Act pdf | word

Part E
Copy of the Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Act (as in force from 1 January 2013) and a summary of each of the Act’s provisions. pdf | word

     

Consultation Paper: Response to the High Court decision in Crofts

This Consultation Paper is being released for discussion purposes and to elicit public comment on a proposed amendment to the Crofts warning.  The Department of the Attorney-General and Justice recommends in the Consultation Paper that the Northern Territory adopt the amendment endorsed by the Family Violence – A National Legal Response (Australian Law Reform Commission Report 114, November 2010), which will restore a judge’s discretion not to issue a Crofts warning.

Any views expressed are not to be taken to represent the views of the Northern Territory Government. We are seeking your comments and feedback (no matter how brief) on the proposed reform.

Issues Paper - pdf | word

Comments and feedback should be sent to

Director Legal Policy
Department of the Attorney-General and Justice
GPO Box 1722
DARWIN  NT  0801
Or by email to Policy.AGD@nt.gov.au


Issues Paper – Issues raised for the review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act

This Issues Paper is being released for discussion purposes and to elicit public comment on the issues raised and generally.  Any views expressed are not to be taken to represent the views of the Northern Territory Government, the Northern Territory Attorney‑General and Minister for Justice or the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice.
We are seeking your comments and feedback (no matter how brief) on the Victims of Crime Assistance Act.

Issues Paper - pdf | word

Comments and feedback should be sent to

Director Legal Policy
Department of the Attorney-General and Justice
GPO Box 1722
DARWIN  NT  0801
Or by email to Policy.AGD@nt.gov.au


Submissions are requested by 31 March 2013.

Justice Law Reform Information Sessions

The Department of Attorney-General and Justice is holding information forums for the general public on Justice Law Reform.

The forums will cover:

  • proposed legislation introduced into Parliament in October concerning the new one punch offence, adult computer games, and law of evidence. 
  • proposed legislation regarding assaulting workers in the work place, minimum sentences of certain assaults, victims of crime levy and prisoners (serious sex offenders). 
  • Civil law issues including unit titles, vendor disclosure and caravans park legislation.

There will be an overview of each of the proposals followed by a question and answer session.

Consultation Paper Law Reform issues – Attorney-General and Justice pdf | doc

Read more information and session times here.....

 

Cancellation of units plans and schemes

Problems can exist where owners of unit (strata) titles seek to cancel their titles for the purposes of redevelopment of the property, under the Unit Titles Act and the Unit Title Schemes Act. The main problem is getting the support of all the owners for the cancellation of a title, as there is a chance that some owners have interests that differ from others. Submissions in response to a discussion paper closed on 31 January 2013. Click here for a copy of the discussion paper and submissions, where permission was given to publish submissions.

 

Issues Paper - Business Tenancies (Fair Dealings) Act Review

This Issues Paper is being released for discussion purposes only and any views expressed are not to be taken to represent the views of the Northern Territory Government, the Northern Territory Minister for Justice and Attorney-General or the Department of Justice.

We are seeking your comments and feedback (no matter how brief) on the Business Tenancies (Fair Dealings)Act Issues Paper.

Comments and feedback should be sent to via email to tamika.williams@nt.gov.au

Submissions are requested by 31 January 2012.


You are welcome to distribute this to any other organisations or services who may be interested in commenting

 

Proposed Uniform Evidence Act for the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Government is proposing the enactment of a new evidence law based on the model Uniform Evidence Act. The timetable for this project includes introduction of legislation in the Legislative Assembly in mid-2011 and commencement by 31 March 2012. A consultation Bill and discussion paper have been released for public consultation and are as the following:

LPD10 346 Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Consultation Draft Bill

Evidence Act Discussion Paper

You are invited to make submissions on the Bill. Please address any comments or queries to me, Martin.Fisher@nt.gov.au by 28 February 2011.


Review of the Summary of Offences Act.

This paper is being released for discussion purposes only and any views expressed are not to be taken to represent the views of the Northern Territory Government, the Northern Territory Minister for Justice and Attorney-General or the Department of Justice.
 
We are seeking your urgent comments and feedback (no matter how brief) on the Act.
 
Comments and feedback should be sent to via email to fiona.hardy@nt.gov.au

Comments are required by Friday 14 January 2011, at the absolute latest.
You are welcome to distribute this to any other organisations or services who may be interested in commenting

 

Residential Tenancy Review

Copies of the issues paper can also be obtained from Robert Chamberlain, the Policy Division on 89357668

 


A Proposal For a National Model to Harmonise Regulation of Surrogacy - January 2009

The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General have released a Discussion paper on a proposal for a National Model to Harmonise Regulation of Surrogacy. Interested individuals and organisations are invited to make written submissions on the proposal outlined in this paper.

Submissions should be sent to the Executive Officer of the Secretariat of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, NSW Attorney General’s Department, GPO Box 6, Sydney NSW 2001 or can be emailed to natalie_marsic@agd.nsw.gov.au.

Inquiries may be directed to the SCAG Secretariat – ph 02 8061 9325.

The closing date for submissions is 16 April 2009.

All submissions will be treated as public documents unless a request for confidentiality is made.

 

DRAFT Unit Titles Scheme Bill 2009

The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, the Hon Chris Burns MLA released on 28 November 2008 for comment the draft Unit Titles Scheme Bill 2009. The legislation proposes to reform the law for future community and unit titles in the Northern Territory. It also contains transitional provisions covering both current unit titles and major land developments in the course of completion.

Public Meetings will be held in Darwin on 20 January and Alice Springs on 22 January 2009. Registrations to Ms Belinda Whitty on 08 8935 7659 are essential.

Darwin
When: 12 noon and 1.30pm
Where: Licensing Commission Conference Room
           1st floor Enterprise House
           Knuckey Street

Alice Springs
When: 12 noon and 2pm
Where: Licensing Commission Hearing Room
           1st Floor Belvedere House
           Corner Bath & Parsons Streets

It is proposed that legislation will be introduced into Parliament in February 2009 with commencement by the end of April or May 2009.
Comments should be directed to Robert Bradshaw, Legal Policy Division, Department of Justice 08 8935 7652 robert.bradshaw@nt.gov.au.
Comments on the proposals in the draft Bill are sought by 27 January 2009.
The following documents are attached:

DRAFT Unit Titles Scheme Bill 2009.
Discussion Paper
Consolidated versions of the Land Title Act
Planning Act
Unit Titles Act
Real Property (Unit Titles) Act as they will be if the Unit Titles Scheme Bill 2009 is enacted

DRAFT Bill Model Spent Convictions Bill

On 6 November 2008, the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General released the draft Model Spent Convictions Bill and consultation paper on the Model Bill. The Department of Justice is seeking comments and feedback (no matter how brief) on the provisions contained within the Bill and on the consultation paper. Any comments or feedback must be made by Midday, Thursday 29 January 2009.

DRAFT Bill Model Spent Convictions Bill

Draft Consultation Paper

Any comments or feedback must be made by Midday, Thursday 29 January 2009.

For further information please email policy.doj@nt.gov.au.

Archived Information


DRAFT Bill Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Bill 2008

This Bill is an exposure draft of the Bill to amend the Domestic and Family Violence Act (the "Act") so as to introduce an obligation for all adults in the Northern Territory to report to the police certain incidents of domestic and family violence. The Bill also corrects a number of concerns with the Act that have been raised since it's introduction.

The Department of Justice is seeking comments and feedback (no matter how brief) on the provisions contained within the Bill.

Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Bill 2008

Any comments or feedback must be made by Midday, Thursday 2 October 2008.
**A link to the draft bill will be available here as soon as it is posted on the Department of Legislative Assembly website. For further information please email policy.doj@nt.gov.au


Comments and feedback should be sent to:

Mandatory Reporting of Domestic Violence
Legal Policy Division
Department of Justice
GPO Box 1722
Darwin NT 0801


or by email to policy.doj@nt.gov.au

or by fax: (08) 8935 7662

 

Consultaion Expired

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