District Court (District Court Judges) Amendment Bill

Members, we now come to clause 2. The question is that clause 2 stand part.

Thank you, Madam Chair. In terms of the commencement date, I would like to get some clarification from the Minister. Yes, it’s perfectly understandable, and it’s quite a common practice we see—that the Act comes into force after Royal assent—but something that we did see, as part of the select committee process, and also the report, is the fact that the appointment of the judge itself could happen at any time. While the commencement date is after Royal assent, I want to check with the Minister if the Minister has any sort of advice or any thoughts around when this appointment will be likely to take place.

That’s not for me to decide, about when an appointment may take place. What this bill does is allow for the implementation of an extra judge when it’s needed. It’s expedient for us to do so, as soon as this bill has received Royal assent, should it be voted that far through, and it looks like it will be because it seems to have support across the House. All we are merely doing is allowing the judiciary and other officials to start the appointment process, when it may be determined to be needed.

Clause 2 agreed to.

Clause 3 Principal Act