Inquiry into the provisions of the criminal code amendment (suicide related material offences) Bill 2004

Inquiry into the provisions of the criminal code amendment (suicide related material offences) Bill 2004

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Background

On 5 August 2004, the Senate referred the provisions of the Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill 2004 to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 6 September 2004.

The Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill 2004 contained offences which were originally introduced in the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Telecommunications Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2004. After its introduction into the Senate, the Commonwealth Government split the original bill in two, and then reintroduced the two separate bills into the House of Representatives as the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Telecommunications Offences and Other Measures) (No. 2) 2004, and the Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill 2004 (the Bill).

The Bill proposed to insert two new offences into the Criminal Code Act 1995: the first dealing with use of a carriage service, including the Internet, to access, transmit or otherwise make available suicide-related material; and the second in relation to possession, production, supplying or obtaining suicide-related material for use through a carriage service.

Conduct of the inquiry

The Committee advertised the inquiry in The Australian newspaper on 11 August 2004, and invited submissions by 20 August 2004. Details of the inquiry, the Bill and associated documents were placed on the Committee’s website. The Committee also wrote to over 50 organisations and individuals.

The Committee received 21 submissions. Submissions were placed on the Committee’s website. The Committee thanks those organisations and individuals who made submissions to its inquiry.

On 31 August 2004, the Governor-General prorogued the 40th Parliament and dissolved the House of Representatives. Accordingly, the Committee has resolved not to continue its inquiry into the provisions of the Bill. This decision is consistent with the approach to inquiries during elections adopted by other Senate Committees. If the Bill is reintroduced in the new Parliament, the Senate can again refer it to the Committee for inquiry.

Senator Marise Payne

Chair