More than 100 applications have been lodged by people on the basis they experienced child sexual abuse in South Australian institutions since the National Redress Scheme commenced operation.

New laws aimed at better supporting people who live in or own a residential park have come into effect today.

With Scams Awareness Week kicking off today and running until August 16, South Australians are being reminded that everyone is vulnerable to a scam.

A distinguished legal practitioner with more than three decades experience has been appointed as the new Master of the District Court.

Scientists who spent over 100 hours processing and analysing materials found at a series of clandestine drug labs and staff who’ve brought their knowledge of forensic toxicology to the world are among those recognised at the annual Ross Vining Memorial Forensic Science SA Awards Ceremony.

Second Reading

I indicate my appreciation for the contributions of the member for Heysen and the member for Kaurna, and in particular the at least partial support that has been provided from the opposition. I think it is fair to say that both areas of concern on their part, one relating to the interest distribution and, secondly, in relation to the retrospectivity arising out of the obligations for applications that are made out of time to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, are qualified to be reserved at this stage pending consultation.

Second Reading

The Surrogacy Bill 2019 repeals part 2B of the Family Relationships Act 1975 and creates a standalone act to recognise and regulate certain forms of surrogacy in South Australia. Part 2B of the act has been the subject of considerable discussion over recent years and involves an extremely sensitive area of policy for the community. The bill now before the parliament can be traced to the Family Relationships (Surrogacy)Amendment Act 2015, as introduced by the Hon. John Dawkins MLC in late 2014, which commenced on assent in 2015 and reformed the area of surrogacy through amendments to the Family Relationships Act.

Second Reading

Last Friday, I announced that Justice Martin Hinton, a current Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, would be appointed to the position of Director of Public Prosecutions. Justice Hinton will resign his commission as a Justice of the Supreme Court to become the first ever former Supreme Court judge to take on this important role once this bill has passed through the parliament.

Nearly 200 requests for information have been made in the first eight months of the trial of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

Laws making it easier for South Australians to have a child through a surrogate will this week be introduced to State Parliament.