2015

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

VICTIMS OF CRIME (VICTIMS SERVICES LEVY) AMENDMENT BILL 2015 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Presented by
Simon Corbell MLA
Attorney-General

VICTIMS OF CRIME (VICTIMS SERVICES LEVY) AMENDMENT BILL 2015

This explanatory statement relates to the Victims of Crime (Victims Services Levy) Amendment Bill 2015 (the Bill) as presented to the Legislative Assembly. It has been prepared in order to assist the reader of the Bill and to help inform debate on it. It does not form part of the Bill and has not been endorsed by the Assembly.

The statement is to be read in conjunction with the Bill. It is not, and is not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the Bill. 

Outline

Purpose of the Bill
The Bill will amend the Victims of Crime Act 1994 to increase the victims services levy from $30 to $40. This increase to the victims services levy is designed to support reforms to enhance services for victims of crime. 
Human Rights Implications

The Bill accords with the Human Rights Act 2004. The Bill does not engage any human rights.

CLAUSE NOTES
Clause 1	Name of Act
This clause provides that the name of the Act is the Victims of Crime (Victims Services Levy) Amendment Bill 2015. 
Clause 2	Commencement
This clause provides for the commencement of the Act. The Act will commence on the day after its notification day.
Clause 3	Legislation Amended 
This clause specifies that the Act amends the Victims of Crime Act 1994  
Clause 4 	Section 24 (2)
This amendment omits the amount $30 from section 24(2) and substitutes it with $40. This increases the levy by $10.

Schedule 1
Schedule 1 includes technical amendments made under the Government’s technical amendment program to correct oversights in consequential amendments under the Victims of Crime Regulation 2000.
1.1 	Section 49A
This amendment ensures that the victims services levy does not apply to an offence committed under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (ACT). 
1.2	Schedule 2, part 2.1, new item 3A
This amendment ensures that the victims services levy does not apply to an offence committed under the Australian Road Rules, s 170 (1).
1.3	Schedule 2, part 2.1, new item 36A
This amendment ensures that the victims services levy does not apply to an offence committed under the Australian Road Rules, s 197 (1A).
1.4	Schedule 2, part 2.1, new item 47A
This amendment ensures that the victims services levy does not apply to an offence committed under the Australian Road Rules, s 208A (1).
1.5	Schedule 2, part 2.2, item 13
This amendment ensures that the victims services levy does not apply to offences committed under the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Regulation 2000, s49B (2) and s 49B (3). This amendment also updates an incorrect description for item 13.