Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Scarr. Amendment (6), which I believe deals with this, will introduce a new section, 15YFA, which will prohibit defendants from being able to directly cross-examine vulnerable adult complainants in circumstances where the defendant is unrepresented. The new provision requires a court appointed person to ask questions of the vulnerable person on the defendant's behalf. This is an important amendment, as it will ensure vulnerable adults are not discouraged from reporting offences, due to the possibility that they may be questioned directly by the accused. It will support vulnerable adults to give the best evidence and limit instances of possible retraumatisation, by reducing interaction with the accused. This amendment is consistent with the existing prohibition against defendants cross-examining child complainants in section 15YF of the Crimes Act.