Inquiry into Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
The OIC provided a submission to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee. OIC notes that the Bill proposes various amendments that may have privacy implications; OIC's submission is addressed to perhaps the most significant of those, being proposed amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1978 (CLSO Act).
Relevant amendments would remove restrictions in the CLSO Act prohibiting identification of an adult defendant charged with a prescribed sexual offence prior to finalisation of committal proceedings.
Removal of the restriction will align Queensland with most other Australian jurisdictions, and that it will remain open to a court to order non-publication of a defendant's identity in appropriate circumstances.
