David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I note that the Law Council of Australia, whose legal analysis I have a huge amount of respect for, says that the definition of serious, violent or sexual offence in division 395 of the Criminal Code Act is very wide and includes offences across Commonwealth, state and territory law with maximum penalties as low as seven years as well as capturing conduct which would involve serious risk of personal injury. It also includes any risk of sexual assault no matter when committed. Further, they say, 'We are advised that this definition has a broad reach across many Commonwealth, state and territory offences and therefore many accused persons, and there appears to be no canvassing of the range of offences or persons to which the schedule may apply.' The Law Council are right, aren't they?