Explainer

The Victorian Parliament is set to debate a Bill today that will, in the words of the government’s media release, “take ‘good character’ references off the table so perpetrators can’t use their reputation for less jail time”. But behind the press releases and social media hype is legislation that, in SASVic’s opinion, won’t change much […]

What is changing? The Victorian Government is introducing justice system reforms which mean that complainants in sexual offence, family violence and stalking matters will no longer need to be cross-examined at committal hearings. These reforms mean that complainants in these matters will only need to be cross-examined by a defence barrister once, during the trial.