December 9, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Roadside drug driver testing

Roadside testing to deter drug driving looks to be back on again with the Government’s Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill (Bill) passing its first reading in August. Underlining the need for a workable solution, the Bill’s explanatory note reveals that between 2019-2022, on average 30% of road deaths each year involved crashes where drivers had consumed impairing drugs. The previous government passed legislation in 2022 to enable police to carry out a roadside oral fluid test (OFT) for drugs. However,...

December 6, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Divorce law amended for victims of family violence

In another display of cross-party agreement, the Family Proceedings (Dissolution of Marriage or Civil Union for Family Violence) Amendment Act (Amendment Act) was passed into law in October this year, and will come into force in October 2025. The purpose of this legislation is to reduce the harm caused by family violence in marriage or civil union relationships. It amends the Family Proceedings Act 1980 to allow for a marriage or civil union to be dissolved where a party in the...

November 21, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Improvements to enable more remote participation in courts

In September this year the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill was passed by Parliament. As an omnibus Bill it made changes to two Acts, with two amendments to the Courts (Remote Participation) Act (CRPA) and one to the Criminal Procedure Act. The purpose of the amendments is to clarify and improve the law governing remote participation to enable more remote participation in court proceedings using both audio-only links (audio link) and audiovisual technology. The changes to the CRPA are expected to increase...