Ivana Bacik (Independent)

The Minister's reference to the proposed comprehensive sexual offences Bill is very welcome. Many of us have called for a codifying of the law on sexual offences, which is what the Minister proposes. It is both welcome and long overdue. However, in the short time I have been a Member of the House I have noted — I am sure Senator Regan will have seen this too — that where we table amendments that seem pertinent to the purpose of a Minister's Bill, this being one such amendment, we are told they are not appropriate because a major codifying legislation is to be introduced in the next year. We frequently receive this message. I can understand why the Minister says this but it seems this is not about the substantive law on sexual offences but the procedure by which the anonymity of a victim may be preserved, even in cases where he or she wishes to have the identity of the offender made public. We see this happening in the courts on an ongoing basis in cases involving sexual offences. It is important to clarify the procedure in this regard and I do not see why we must wait for major codifying legislation, although, as I said, we all will welcome the introduction of such a Bill on sexual offences.