Crimes Amendment Bill

Members, we now come to the Crimes Amendment Bill. This debate includes consideration of Supplementary Order Paper 185, which the House has instructed the committee to consider.

Thank you, Mr Chair. I rise with some pleasure to speak to the Crimes Amendment Bill and, as you’ve just alluded to, it includes Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 185 in the name of Minister Andrew Little, who I see is now in the chair. I look forward to his involvement and interaction throughout the debate that will no doubt follow.

If I may just begin by talking about what it is that the SOP—regarding the theft of livestock and animals—is designed to achieve, I’ll perhaps start with noting that this is what is popularly known as stock rustling. “Rustling” is a particular word used in relation to livestock that doesn’t have any other meanings, I think, in relation to theft. But, nevertheless, the legislation, of course, adopts the language elsewhere in the Crimes Act in relation to theft and, indeed, stealing, as we’ll see when we get to what will be new section 220A.

So my first question to the Minister—through you, Mr Chair—is in relation to the description of the new offence of “theft of livestock and other animals”. It seems to me slightly redundant to have a description that includes both the word “livestock” and the words “other animals”, because, surely, if one were to have animals, that would include livestock. Obviously, all livestock are animals, but not all animals are livestock, if you follow.

So perhaps while I leave that question hanging for the Minister to perhaps consider, along with any other officials who may wish to brief him, I note that the maximum term that would be accorded to such an offence is seven years—of course, the same penalty for breaking a mirror, but I won’t reflect further on that, Mr Chair. I can’t see you allowing me that indulgence in relation to mirrors. So moving on then to the other similarly—

Sorry to interrupt the member, but it has come time for me to report progress.

House resumed.

The Chairperson reported the Social Workers Registration Legislation Bill with amendment, progress on the Crimes Amendment Bill, and no progress on the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill.

Report adopted.

The House adjourned at 9.56 p.m.