Friday 27 June 2008
GOVERNMENT TO HOLD CRIMINAL JUSTICE FORUM
The Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, will host a National Forum in Canberra on Federal Criminal Justice on 29 September 2008.
"The Forum represents a unique opportunity to reconstruct the way in which Federal criminal law and procedure is developed.
"The Forum will involve academics, the legal profession, the Australian Institute of Criminology, the Australian Law Reform Commission, police unions and anyone interested in the future development of federal criminal justice."
Topics may include:
- New technology and crime threats
- crime prevention
- victim's rights
- police investigations, powers and procedures
- trial procedure
- forfeiture of assets
- sentencing and
- management of federal offenders.
The Forum will not canvass or deal with national security laws or anti-terrorism laws.
Participants will be selected from nominations received by an independent Steering Committee.
The public can also contribute by submitting their ideas or applying to present a paper at the Forum.
"This approach represents a major advance in public consultation and reflects the Government's commitment to reach out to the community in its reform process and reform agenda.
"I look forward to the Forum providing an opportunity for debate and generating fresh ideas to improve not only the federal criminal justice system, but the reform process itself."
A website for the Forum has been launched which will keep the public informed and allow interested parties to submit ideas that will contribute directly to setting the Forum agenda.
Website address: www.ag.gov.au/forum
Media Contact: Samantha Wills 0448 721 372