Senate passes Evidence Act

The Evidence (Special Measures) Act 2012 was passed in the senate this morning with one amendment.

The Bill makes provisions for the use of video-recorded evidence in criminal and civil proceedings and in a coroner's inquest.

The bill seeks to introduce special measures that can be used to facilitate the giving of evidence by vulnerable witnesses and other specified witnesses.

It was tabled in the Senate last Friday.

The bill identifies vulnerable witnesses as children, a complainant in criminal proceedings relating to a sexual offence, and a witness whose evidence the court determines is unlikely to be available to the court due to fear or distress.

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