Information about the Inquiry

Inquiry into the Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008

Information about the Inquiry

Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008

On 4 December 2008, the Senate referred the provisions of the Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008 to the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for inquiry and report.

This Bill amends the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 and the Judiciary Act 1903. Its purpose is to establish a procedural framework allowing the Federal Court of Australia to exercise the indictable criminal jurisdiction which will be given if the Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Bill 2008 is enacted. Details of that bill can be found at:

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;db=;group=;holdingType=;id=;orderBy=priority,title;page=2;query=Dataset:billsCurBef%20SearchCategory_Phrase:"bills%20and%20legislation"%20Dataset_Phrase:"billhome";querytype=;rec=14;resCount=

The Bill will give the Federal Court the full range of powers it will need, including to be able to conduct jury trials and deal with appeals. The Bill also includes provisions dealing with pre-trial proceedings, bail, the empanelling of juries, and sentencing. In certain circumstances, the conduct of committal proceedings will be affected by the Bill.

The reporting date for this inquiry is 4 March 2009.

The Committee invites written submissions by Monday, 12 January 2009.  Submissions should be sent to:

Committee Secretary

Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Department of the Senate

PO Box 6100

Parliament House

Canberra ACT 2600

Australia

The committee encourages the lodgement of submissions in electronic form. As the secretariat is in the process of implementing a new system for lodging submissions via the Parliament's website, you will find a link to submit online in the box below. Alternatively, intending submitters requiring further information could also contact the secretariat before lodging your submission.


NOTE:
The new Senate Committee Online Submission System can be accessed at: https://senate.aph.gov.au/submissions

If you have any questions or experience any problems using this system please contact the Senate Web Administrator at: web.senate@aph.gov.au

Notes to assist in preparing submissions are available from the website https://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm

or telephone the secretariat on 02 6277 3560, fax: 02 6277 5794, or e-mail at the above address.

Once the committee accepts your submission, it becomes a confidential committee document and is protected by Parliamentary Privilege. You must not release your submission without the committee’s permission. If you do, it is not protected by Parliamentary Privilege. At some stage during the inquiry, the committee normally makes submissions public. Please indicate if you want your submission to be kept confidential.

Inquiries from hearing and speech impaired people should be directed to the Parliament House TTY number (02 6277 7799). Adobe also provides tools for the blind and visually impaired to access PDF documents. These tools are available at: http://access.adobe.com/. If you require any special arrangements in order to enable you to participate in a committee inquiry, please contact the committee secretary.

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: +61 2 6277 3560
Fax: +61 2 6277 5794
Email: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au