Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to incorporate into Hansard responses to a question taken on notice by me yesterday to a question asked in my capacity representing the Minister for Defence.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

Response to a question taken on notice from Senator Johnston —Senate Question Time, Wednesday 21 March.

In answer to your question from Wednesday 21 March, I took on notice the matter of the timing of the introduction of the Military Court of Australia Bill.

The timing of the Military Court of Australia Bill is primarily a matter for the Attorney General.

The Attorney General and the Minister for Defence had hoped that the Bill would be ready for introduction during the Autumn sittings, however this has not been able to occur to. The Government is currently undertaking further consultation with interested groups on a number of complex legal issues.

That consultation is due to be completed in time for the Government to introduce the Bill during the Winter sittings this year.