Wednesday, 15 May 2024

Bills

Justice Legislation Amendment (Integrity, Defamation and Other Matters) Bill 2024

Introduction and first reading

Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (09:35): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Crime Statistics Act 2014, the Criminal Procedure Act 2009, the Defamation Act 2005, the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011, the Judicial Commission of Victoria Act 2016, the Local Government Act ‍2020, the Ombudsman Act 1973, the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012, the Public Interest Monitor Act 2011, the Racing Act 1958, the Spent Convictions Act ‍2021, the Surveillance Devices Act 1999, the Telecommunications (Interception) (State Provisions) Act ‍1988 and the Victorian Inspectorate Act 2011, to make consequential amendments to various acts following the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

Michael O’BRIEN (Malvern) (09:36): I ask the minister for a brief – and I emphasise ‘brief’ – explanation of the bill.

Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (09:36): I thank the honourable member for Malvern for his request. The bill will amend the Defamation Act 2005 to clarify the liability of digital intermediaries for the publication of defamatory third-party content and extends the defence of absolute privilege to matters published to police and relevant complaints-handling bodies. The bill will also include Victoria Police electronic signature, court data and integrity amendments.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.