Mr BELL - 1995-08-17
How does the Attorney-General justify to Stephen Sargent's mother, sister and children this government's failure to reform the law on murder in the Northern Territory after the appeal court's decision in Breedon's case?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, that matter is currently before me and will be referred appropriately to the Law Reform Committee.
Mr Bell: It has been before you for 12 months!
Mr HATTON: Will you shut up and listen! You mob are rude!
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Mr Stirling: You have not said anything.
Mr Bailey: You may consider us rude, but we try to take some action following outrageous situations like that.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HATTON: The legislative situation was addressed in the appeal decision in 1993. The matter went to retrial in April 1995. Earlier this year ...
Mr Bell: Irrelevant!
Mr HATTON: The matter is before me now and I am recommending amendments. However, as the shadow attorney-general should know - although given the way in which he is dealing with this, I question that somewhat - there are proprieties in terms of referring the matter through the Northern Territory Law Reform Committee for its examination. It is being referred to that committee as a matter of urgency by me, with the intention of introducing legislative amendments at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Bell: Twelve months later - good grief!
Mr HATTON: If the member for MacDonnell wants to have a go at me, I remind him that I have been Attorney-General since 1 July and it is now 17 August.
Mr Bell: You are not answerable for your predecessor's failures.
Mr HATTON: I think I am moving reasonably quickly to have the law amended.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, that matter is currently before me and will be referred appropriately to the Law Reform Committee.
Mr Bell: It has been before you for 12 months!
Mr HATTON: Will you shut up and listen! You mob are rude!
Page 725
Mr Stirling: You have not said anything.
Mr Bailey: You may consider us rude, but we try to take some action following outrageous situations like that.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HATTON: The legislative situation was addressed in the appeal decision in 1993. The matter went to retrial in April 1995. Earlier this year ...
Mr Bell: Irrelevant!
Mr HATTON: The matter is before me now and I am recommending amendments. However, as the shadow attorney-general should know - although given the way in which he is dealing with this, I question that somewhat - there are proprieties in terms of referring the matter through the Northern Territory Law Reform Committee for its examination. It is being referred to that committee as a matter of urgency by me, with the intention of introducing legislative amendments at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Bell: Twelve months later - good grief!
Mr HATTON: If the member for MacDonnell wants to have a go at me, I remind him that I have been Attorney-General since 1 July and it is now 17 August.
Mr Bell: You are not answerable for your predecessor's failures.
Mr HATTON: I think I am moving reasonably quickly to have the law amended.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016