Hansard debates

 Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Second reading

  Mr WELLS (Minister for Police and Emergency Services) -- I move:
  That this bill be now read a second time.
Speech  as follows incorporated  into  Hansard in accordance  with resolution of
house:
  The Victoria Police Act 2013 was passed by  Parliament  in December 2013. That
  act is a new principal act for the administration and  governance  of Victoria
  Police and it will largely replace the Police Regulation Act 1958.

  The primary purpose of the Victoria Police Amendment (Consequential and  Other
  Matters) Bill 2014  is to  give effect to the change in language introduced by
  the Victoria  Police  Act  2013 in  relation  to  Victoria Police  and  police
  officers, and to update references to the Police Regulation Act 1958 that will
  be repealed by the Victoria Police Act 2013.
  The  bill  makes the  following  consequential  amendments  to  more  than 180
  Victorian acts:

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    it replaces references to the force with the term 'Victoria Police';
    it  replaces  references to  member  of  the force  with  the  term  'police
    officer';
    it replaces references  to member of police  personnel with the term 'member
    of Victoria Police personnel'; and
    where an act refers to a section within the Police Regulation Act  1958, the
    bill  updates that reference  to refer to the  new equivalent section within
    the Victoria Police Act 2013.

  These  consequential  changes  will ensure that references to Victoria Police,
  police officers and Victoria Police personnel are used consistently across the
  statute book and with  proper reference to  the  definitions contained in  the
  Victoria Police Act 2013.
  The bill  also  makes  consequential  amendments  to  ensure  that,  upon  the
  commencement  of  the  Victoria  Police  Act  2013, deputy  commissioners  can
  continue  to  exercise the  powers  of the  chief  commissioner  under certain
  legislative schemes, as currently provided for in those acts.
  The bill also makes some amendments to the Victoria Police Act 2013.

  First, the bill amends the Victoria Police Act 2013 to provide that the Police
  Services and Registration  Board (PRS board) is required to publish statements
  of reasons for certain decisions relating to reviews and registration, subject
  to appropriate safeguards. The PRS board  will have the discretion  to exclude
  information  from publication  when  it  considers that  it  is in the  public
  interest to  do  so. These amendments  will  promote the  principles  of  open
  justice and the free communication of information.
  Secondly, the bill makes  a minor amendment to the Victoria Police Act 2013 to
  clarify  the authority to make regulations in relation  to appeals and reviews
  by inserting an express power in schedule 5 of that act.

  Thirdly, the bill amends the Victoria Police  Act 2013 to provide transitional
  provisions  relating to  references  to protective  services officers,  police
  recruits, special  constables and Victoria  Police employees  (public servants
  employed  by  the  chief commissioner).  These  amendments  will  ensure  that
  references to these roles in other legislation or subordinate instruments will
  be construed as references  to these roles within the meaning of this Victoria
  Police Act 2013.
  The   Victoria  Police  Act  2013  is  an  important   piece  of  legislation,
  representing a  significant milestone in  the history of Victoria Police. This
  bill provides the necessary consequential amendments  for that act  to operate
  effectively.
  I commend the bill to the house.

Debate adjourned on motion of Ms KAIROUZ (Kororoit).
Debate adjourned until Wednesday, 26 March.