- Published:
- Thursday 24 March 2016
The Andrews Labor Government has welcomed a review of Victoria’s Witness Protection Act and has acted on its recommendations to strengthen the system.
Acting Police Minister Robin Scott tabled the review by former Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Judge, the Honourable Frank Vincent AO QC, in the Victorian Parliament today.
The Labor Government has accepted and is delivering on all of the recommendations.
The Government yesterday introduced legislation to overhaul Victoria’s witness protection system, which delivers on all of Mr Vincent’s recommendations.
The legislative reforms will strengthen and improve the administration and external oversight of Victoria’s witness protection system and clamp down on witness intimidation.
These changes build on recent improvements made by Victoria Police to how it manages witness protection, including the allocation of additional resources to witness protection and stronger governance arrangements.
Mr Vincent’s review outlines the important role witness protection plays in Victoria’s justice system and provides legislative reforms to improve administration and external oversight, and increase community confidence in the system.
The report is now available at www.parliament.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Acting Police Minister Robin Scott
“We welcome the review and thank Mr Vincent for his considered and detailed analysis of Victoria’s Witness Protection Act.”
“We have acted on all of the recommendations and are delivering a stronger, more accountable witness protection system, which provides increased protection for people who cooperate with police.”