28 March 2008
MCCLELLAND WELCOMES NEW ERA OF CO-OPERATION
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today welcomed the strong support of State and Territory Attorneys-General to embark on an ambitious program of legal harmonisation across Australia.
“With Labor Governments in every Australian jurisdiction, we have a historic opportunity to work together on national outcomes and make the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General a vehicle for driving effective reform,” Mr McClelland said.
“This is essential if we want to make Australia the commercial hub of our region.”
Mr McClelland welcomed the joint communiqué released by SCAG as an important indication that all governments share this commitment.
“We have agreed to refocus the SCAG agenda on priority areas of reform where real gains can be made.”
Among the measures agreed by Attorneys was a legal harmonisation conference.
“This is important in developing a modern economy because it will remove numerous inconsistencies between jurisdictions that currently exist in a multitude of areas,” Mr McClelland said.
The conference will be convened later this year, delivering on an election commitment of the Rudd Government.
“I would like to see fresh ideas brought to the table and governments engage fully and effectively with the legal profession and stakeholders,” Mr McClelland said.
Mr McClelland also welcomed the agreement of his State and Territory colleagues to consider the issue of suppression orders, delivering on another election commitment of the Rudd Government.
“The Rudd Government is committed to accountability and transparency and is keen to ensure suppression orders are used consistently and appropriately.”
Among the new projects kicked off today is harmonisation of discrimination laws.
“This has the potential to benefit not only business, who currently have to comply with inconsistent laws, but all Australians, who are entitled to expect equivalent rights regardless of the State or Territory in which they live”, Mr McClelland said.
Media Contact: Adam Sims 0419 480 224.