Statutes Amendment Bill

Members, we come now to Part 22, the debate on clauses 86 to 88, “Amendments to Juries Act 1981”. The question is that Part 22 stand part.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Just quick questions for the Minister on this—I understand this is just purely deleting a few sections. I couldn’t see why those particular sections—I did look at section 14C(1)(d) and 14C(1)(c), and they did appear to still be in the primary piece of legislation. I could be wrong about that. I’m interested to know what the Minister’s answer to that is.

Unfortunately, there’s not really anything more to say about this apart from that it’s a particularly interesting section that it’s amending, section 12A. This is the section that allows you to be given leave to not attend jury service, and, interestingly, the provision that allows you to avoid jury service if you are dead. I did not realise that it was required for that to be put down specifically in legislation, but, there you go—if you do check out section 12A(1)(e)—

💬 Tom Rutherford: It would be a hung jury!

That’s right. Yes, that’s potentially something you could say about that. Anyway, to the Minister: what was the reason for removing those sections?

The amendments to section 12A and 13 are to correct a drafting error. A replacement summons is issued under section 13, not under section 14C(1)(c) or (d) as currently indicated in the Act.

Part 22 agreed to.

Part 23 Amendments to Land Transfer Act 2017