Second Reading Speeches

Evidence Amendment (Journalists' Privilege) Bill 2009

Type
Government
Portfolio
Attorney-General
Originating house
House of Representatives
Status
Not Proceeding
Parliament no
42

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Summary

Amends the

Evidence Act 1995
to amend the professional confidential relationship privilege provisions available to protect confidential communications between journalists and their sources in certain circumstances by: providing that courts observe public interest considerations; requiring courts to consider any likely harm to a journalist if certain evidence were given; repealing provisions for automatic loss of privilege in cases of misconduct; and removing the requirement for courts to give the greatest weight to any risk of prejudice to national security.

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