Wednesday 29 November 2017
Hansard of the Legislative Council

SENTENCING AMENDMENT (SENTENCES OF
IMPRISONMENT) BILL 2017 (No. 54)
Suspension of Standing Orders

Mr FINCH (Rosevears) - Mr President, yes, I would expect nothing less than the member for Murchison to challenge anything under suspension of Standing Orders.  It is always good to have debate about the reasons behind why the Leader is calling for suspension of Standing Orders, and we get some clarification around that.  If it is not clear, we have the opportunity not to proceed with it. 

I am comfortable with this, with the polite letter we received from the minister explaining the circumstances behind the request, and also this morning's briefing which has given us some clarification and explanation over what is going on.  I also had opportunity to take advice, which was that this bill requires a court, when imposing a further sentence of imprisonment on a person already serving a sentence of imprisonment with a right to parole attached, to attach a right to parole to make it clear as to when the paroles are to operate with a further sentence. 

The advice I received was that the provisions of the bill, although somewhat confusing to read and understand, are appropriate.  When I get advice like that, when I am dealing with legalese, which is not my area of comfort, it helps me in trying to get to a stance where I can make a comment.  That makes me feel comfortable in supporting the Government's to take this under suspension of Standing Orders.