1469. Hon Alison Xamon to the Leader of the House representing the Attorney General:
I refer to question without notice No. 844, of 9 November 2017, regarding the establishment of an intermediary scheme for prosecution witnesses with communication difficulties in child sexual abuse prosecutions, and I ask:
(a) has the committee of interested parties, referred to in the Attorney General’s response, now concluded its work;
(b) if yes to (a), will the Minister please table any report or recommendations made by the committee; and
(c) if no to (a):
(i) why not; and
(ii) when is it anticipated the committee will report?
Hon Sue Ellery replied:
(a) No. The Committee will continue to meet until the scheme is implemented.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse made two recommendations regarding witness intermediary schemes. As the two projects are closely aligned, future reporting will be through the Royal Commission Response’s reporting requirements