The Victorian Bar welcomes parliamentary debate on the Spent Convictions Bill introduced by Reason Party MP Fiona Patten.
All other Australian jurisdictions have laws that provide for the expungement of certain offences from an individual’s record where the individual has not re-offended.
Under current Victorian law, many people who have been found guilty of minor or low-level crimes, whether convicted or not, find themselves limited in their attempts to gain employment and participate fully in our society because their offending appears on their criminal record, even where it occurred long ago and the individual has not re-offended.
“Spent convictions legislation is an important element of criminal justice reform. The Victorian Bar welcomes parliamentary debate on the Spent Convictions Bill introduced last week”, said Dr Matt Collins QC, President of the Victorian Bar.
“Spent convictions legislation would provide an incentive for good behaviour by past offenders, allowing them to clear their names and increase their opportunities to find work and contribute to our society.”
Michelle Hindson on +61 414 207 049 or by email to michelle@hindsonconsulting.com
Katherine Lorenz on +61 3 9225 7990 or by email to ceo@vicbar.com.au