Collins Judith: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Collins Judith: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4138. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 Thank you for the opportunity to speak to this bill the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill. This is a very short bill but it has had a lot of consideration put into it. It was really brought about by the fact that certainly when I was Minister of Police several police officers had spoken to me about the fact that when they were assaulted by offenders and charges were laid about that assault quite often comments were made even in court to the extent that they were police officers and should be able to put up with it. That is completely unacceptable. Our Government decided that that was not going to be something that we would stand by and let happen and that we would make it very clear to judges that in fact it is important that they view the work of the police and corrections officers placed in similar positions as positions of extreme importance. They help keep the country safe. They are certainly the first who will be criticised if they do not take action in dangerous situations and they are expected to go into situations that the rest of us can flee or choose not to go into. They do not get the choices the rest of us do. 
On the matter that has been raised in Supplementary Order Paper 14 from Charles Chauvel Mr Chauvel came to me and spoke to me about what he would like to add to the bill. We looked at that and I acknowledge the fact that he came and spoke to me about that. I would also like to acknowledge the work done by the Ministry of Justice in being able to assist with that Supplementary Order Paper along with the bill and in making sure that the Supplementary Order Paper and the bill itself would in fact be able to work well together. The ministry has done a lot of work on that as has my office with Mr Chauvel. 
Supplementary Order Paper 9 was tabled by Mrs Lole-Taylor. Unfortunately Mrs Lole-Taylor has not raised this matter with me at all which I was quite surprised to see. That is not really the way we would normally get changes to a bill. I am always happy to discuss changes to a bill as I think the Green Party and Mr Clendon should know. I am happy to take an issue on board as Mr Chauvel knows as long as we discuss it. So it was disappointing to see that Mrs Lole-Taylor did not come and see me about it or want to discuss it. If I had not been a previous Minister of Corrections— 
Denis O’Rourke 
: Nobody needs to come and see you about anything. It wouldn’t be a good idea. 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: Sorry what was that Mr O’Rourke? 
Denis O’Rourke 
: I said nobody needs to come and see you about anything. 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: Actually Mr O’Rourke it is really helpful so we can get matters sorted out. Unfortunately Mr O’Rourke thinks you should get changes to bills by not coming to see the Minister about it. I think that is somewhat naive and I think he should take a move from the— 
Denis O’Rourke 
: It’s actually a good idea not to do that. 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: It was very naive. However fortunately for Mrs Lole-Taylor and what she is trying to do I am a former Minister of Corrections and therefore have been into the prisons—as has Mrs Lole-Taylor when she used to work for the Department of Corrections—so I am aware of the situation. There are many non-uniform staff who are often put in quite dangerous situations if an offender wants to behave in a violent manner towards them so I have a great deal of sympathy for what Mrs Lole-Taylor is trying to do. 
I understand from Mr O’Rourke that they did not want to talk to me about it but I think it is quite a good thing for us to look at. I am sure he will want to convince me about why we should be supporting the Supplementary Order Paper. So far they have treated us with some arrogance frankly. This Parliament has been very good at looking at this bill and looking at how we can actually make the bill better. Mr Chauvel has been able to do that and I am looking forward to the contribution from Mr O’Rourke. On the face of it I think it is probably quite a good provision but I am sure he will want to fully convince me on it.