Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

The Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026 will make a range of important amendments to the Commonwealth legislation in response to the New South Wales Local Court and Bail Legislation Amendment Act 2025. On commencement of schedule 1 of the New South Wales act by proclamation, the office of the New South Wales magistrate will be replaced by the office of the judge of the New South Wales Local Court. The bill will make amendments to Commonwealth legislation and set up transitional provisions to ensure that the jurisdiction and powers conferred on state magistrates by Commonwealth law can continue to be exercised by judges of the New South Wales Local Court. Conversely, the amendments will also ensure that judges of the New South Wales Local Court will not be able to exercise federal jurisdiction and powers beyond the intended scope of their office.

I will keep my comments brief and conclude by saying that the bill will ensure that the New South Wales Local Court can continue to perform its important role in the federal justice system, as noted by colleagues opposite. It is an important court dealing with a range of matters under Commonwealth law, including both civil and criminal proceedings.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.