Reason Leader and Member for Northern Metropolitan, Fiona Patten MP, has today secured a Spent Convictions Scheme for Victoria.
After Ms Patten introduced a Spent Convictions Bill earlier this year, ongoing negotiations with the Andrews Government today led to a Government Referral that will make a spent convictions scheme a reality.
The motion put by Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Gavin Jennings, referred the issue of Spent Convictions to a short Parliamentary Inquiry to consider the design of the scheme. The Committee will report on 27 August 2019 and that report will inform the structure of new Spent Conviction Laws for Victoria.
“Essentially, the committee that I chair will consider issues like the offence types that should be excluded from the scheme and what type of criminal records are capable of becoming spent” said Ms Patten.
Every other jurisdiction in Australia already has a spent convictions scheme.
“We are 33 years behind Queensland, 31 years behind Western Australia in legislating for this reform” said Ms. Patten.
“A spent convictions scheme will limit the ongoing stigma that prevails long after an individual has been punished. It will encourage offenders to rehabilitate themselves and acts as a deterrent from re-offending. It is inherently linked to employment, which improves health, reduces criminality and reduces the burden on the state – something that we should be encouraging, not inhibiting“ said Ms Patten.
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To organise an interview with Fiona Patten, please phone Jorian Gardner directly.
Media Contact: Jorian Gardner
Phone: 0466 694 197
