Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Norfolk Island Amendment (Supreme Court) Bill 2020 makes technical amendments to provisions of the Norfolk Island Act 1979 dealing with the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island.

Amendments made to the act in 2018 authorised the Supreme Court to sit on the Australian mainland in the exercise of its civil and criminal jurisdiction. These amendments allowed for a matter to be heard and a jury to be empanelled in another state or territory. The measures were modelled on similar amendments made for Christmas Island in 1987 and were intended to ensure trials can be conducted fairly, improving community confidence in the Norfolk Island justice system.

The amendments in the bill address some technical issues with respect to these provisions regulating off-island sittings of the Supreme Court and also clarify the basis under which travelling allowances are determined for its judges.

These amendments will enhance the effective administration of the Norfolk Island justice system.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.