Vic poised for spent convictions scheme

by AAP NEWSWIRE

Victoria is set to become the last Australian state to introduce a spent convictions scheme.

A bill was introduced in state parliament on Tuesday that will prevent the disclosure of eligible minor convictions after 10 years if a person has committed no other crime.

Convictions will also become ‘spent’ and no longer show on a police check after five years for a juvenile offence.

The scheme is designed to reduce the damaging effect old criminal records can have on people looking for employment, as well as when they try to secure housing or apply for volunteer work…

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Ms Hennessy said the government moved on the reform following a parliamentary inquiry into spent convictions, headed by Reason MP Fiona Patten.

Ms Patten said the bill “meets the mark” and will benefit thousands of people.

“We heard from people who had an offence when they were 18 – like a burglary offence – and that was still weighing on them when they apply for a passport or apply for a job,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

“It will affect thousands of people who’ve gone through our criminal court, who have turned a new leaf, and are still being discriminated against and judged for something they did in their youth.”

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Read the full article on the Riverine Herald’s website.