Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Inquiries Amendment (Yoorrook Justice Commission Records and Other Matters) Bill 2024

Introduction and first reading

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Women) (12:40): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Inquiries Act 2014 and the Public Records Act 1973 in relation to the Yoorrook Justice Commission and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

Peter WALSH (Murray Plains) (12:41): I ask the minister for a brief explanation, please.

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Women) (12:41): The bill will amend the Inquiries Act 2014 and the Public Records Act 1973 to ensure that the Yoorrook Justice Commission can fully fulfil its obligations under the letters patent to uphold Indigenous data sovereignty principles in relation to First Peoples’ evidence to the commission. It will also make sure that other minor amendments to the Inquiries Act are in place to clarify the requirements for the treatment of records of a royal commission, board of inquiry or formal review that have ceased to exist in accordance with current practices.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.