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EVIDENCE ON COMMISSION BILL 2001 (No. 80)

Second Reading

Dr PATMORE (Bass - Minister for Justice and Industrial Relations - 2R) - Mr Deputy Speaker, I move -

That the bill be now read the second time.

Mr Deputy Speaker, this bill forms part of the Evidence Bill 2001 legislative package. It reproduces the current sections of the Evidence Act 1910 relating to the taking of evidence on commission. These provisions provide for the taking of evidence from witnesses who are outside Australia, or outside Tasmania but within Australia, if the evidence is for use in Tasmanian courts, in both criminal and civil proceedings. They also enable evidence to be taken from witnesses within Tasmania on behalf of other Australian jurisdictions and New Zealand, in both civil and criminal proceedings. In relation to evidence from witnesses in Tasmania for use in foreign jurisdictions, this only applies in civil proceedings. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr MICHAEL HODGMAN (Denison) - Mr Deputy Speaker, as Her Majesty's shadow Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania I have pleasure to inform the House that Her Majesty's loyal Opposition supports the bill.

Bill read the second time and taken through the remaining stages.