Inquiry into a legislated spent convictions scheme

The inquiry examined the need for laws to govern the disclosure of criminal history records (known as a legislated spent convictions scheme). Amongst other issues, the Committee considered:  

• the experience of groups who suffer particular disadvantage due to past convictions, such as young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 
• any ‘crime-free period’ that should apply before a conviction may be spent and whether this should vary according to the age of the offender and type of conviction 
• the consequences of a conviction becoming spent 
• appropriate exceptions, such as for particular offence categories or specific regulatory schemes. 

The Committee was guided by the public interest in balancing offender rehabilitation and reintegration with community safety and victim wellbeing.