Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Senator Crossin, I move:

That the reference to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee relating to Australia’s judicial system be withdrawn.

Question agreed to.

At the request of the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Senator Crossin, I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 17 August 2009:

Access to justice, with particular reference to:

(a)

the ability of people to access legal representation;

(b)

the adequacy of legal aid;

(c)

the cost of delivering justice;

(d)

measures to reduce the length and complexity of litigation and improve efficiency;

(e)

alternative means of delivering justice;

(f)

the adequacy of funding and resource arrangements for community legal centres; and

(g)

the ability of Indigenous people to access justice.

Question agreed to.

At the request of the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Senator Crossin, I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 17 August 2009:

Australia’s judicial system and the role of judges, with particular reference to:

(a)

procedures for appointment and method of termination of judges;

(b)

term of appointment of judges, including the desirability of a compulsory retirement age, and the merit of full-time, part-time or other arrangements;

(c)

jurisdictional issues, for example, the interface between the federal and state judicial system; and

(d)

the judicial complaints handling system.

Question agreed to.