Senate debates
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Welfare Payment Reform) Bill 2007; Northern Territory National Emergency Response Bill 2007; Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory National Emergency Response and Other Measures) Bill 2007; Appropriation (Northern Territory National Emergency Response) Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008; Appropriation (Northern Territory National Emergency Response) Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008
In Committee
7:19 pm
Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source
In the short time that I have left I thought I would try to answer the last question briefly. I have some information with regard to rehabilitation. As part of the law and order summit, we provided $15.9 million for rehabilitation. That rehabilitation was in the context of substance abuse and sexual offenders. We are working on a number of initiatives that will have to be in place, but those initiatives have not yet been completed. As you can imagine, it is a very complex area. But, initially, the $15.9 million has been provided.
In the very short time that I have left, I would have to say that there seems to be some confusion with regard to how you see these amendments. These amendments do not prevent customary law or cultural practice from ever being taken into account in bail and sentencing decisions. They reflect absolutely—they are in parallel to—the changes we made to the Commonwealth Crimes Act.
Progress reported.
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