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📜 Evidence Amendment Bill 2024

Legislative Council Second ReadingLABill 17014 August 2024

This Bill amends the Evidence Act 2024 to establish a witness intermediary service to assist vulnerable witnesses in legal proceedings and to clarify payment entitlements for those assisting in obtaining evidence for interstate matters.

Impact

Vulnerable witnesses, particularly children, will be better supported in legal proceedings. The bill also ensures consistent payment for those assisting interstate evidence gathering.

Key Changes

["Creates a witness intermediary service to facilitate communication with vulnerable witnesses.", "Specifies proceedings for which the witness intermediary service is available (criminal, child protection, and potentially other civil proceedings).", "Outlines the functions of a witness intermediary, including making recommendations to the court and explaining questions and evidence.", "Mandates witness assessments for children under 10 in criminal proceedings and child complainants in sexual offence cases.", "Clarifies payment entitlements for individuals assisting with evidence gathering for interstate court matters."]