Wednesday, 9 February 2022

Committees

Legal and Social Issues Committee

Reference

The PRESIDENT (09:37): I have received a letter from the Legal and Social Issues Committee:

RE: Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee self-referral for an Inquiry into children of imprisoned parents

I write to advise you that on 20 December 2021, pursuant to Standing Order 23.02(4)(a) and Sessional Order 22, the Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee moved a motion to adopt the following terms of reference as a self-referenced inquiry:

That the Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee inquire into and report, by 1 July 2022, on the adequacy of policies and services to assist the children of imprisoned parents in Victoria, with particular reference to:

(a) the social, emotional and health impacts on affected children;

(b) what policies exist and what services are available, including consideration of those in other jurisdictions;

(c) how effective these services are, including—

(i) consideration of evaluation of work already done in this area; and

(ii) identifying areas for improvement.

It is from the chair, Ms Patten. I have a second one, also signed by the chair, Ms Patten:

RE: Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee self-referral for an Inquiry into Right Wing Extremism

I write to advise you that on 7 February 2021, pursuant to Standing Order 23.02(4)(a) and Sessional Order 22, the Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee agreed to a motion that an Inquiry into Right-Wing Extremism be adopted as a self-referenced inquiry:

That—

the Legal and Social Issues Committee inquire into, consider and report, by 31 May 2022, on the following—

a. the rise of the far-right extremist movements in Victoria in the context of—

i. social isolation and growing economic insecurity;

ii. racist scapegoating;

iii. the role of mainstream and social media;

iv. the distrust of governments and politicians;

b. their methods of recruitment and communication;

c. how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the growth of far-right extremism in the Victorian context;

d. the risks their plans and actions pose to Victoria and especially to Victoria’s multicultural communities;

e. the violent potential of these movements, including the potential for targeted violence against politicians and public figures;

f. the links between far-right extremist groups, other forms of extremism, and populist radical right and anti-vaccine misinformation groups;

g. what steps need to be taken in Victoria to counter these far-right extremist groups and their influence, including, but not limited to consideration of—

i. the role of early intervention measures to diminish the recruitment and mobilisation prospects of far-right extremist groups;

ii. the role of social cohesion, greater civil engagement and empowerment, and community building programs;

iii. the submissions made to and, when tabled, the report by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s Inquiry into extremist movements and radicalism in Australia; and

h. any other related matters.

Dr Cumming: On a point of order, President, I have a question on the referral by Ms Patten to the Legal and Social Issues Committee. That was a motion that was on the actual agenda—

The PRESIDENT: That was already referred to us, all right? The Legal and Social Issues Committee referred it to themselves, and they can do that.

Dr Cumming: So, for clarification then, just to understand that that was a motion that was sitting on the agenda that people had amendments to. How do we actually get amendments to that?

Mr Davis: On the point of order, President, there are no formal mechanisms to amend it, but I will give notice to the chamber that I am writing to the chair of the Legal and Social Issues Committee with a proposal for a reference to be considered parallel to the current reference. It would refer to left-wing extremism, and they could be considered together. If Dr Cumming has additional proposals, she should perhaps write in parallel with that.

The PRESIDENT: I agree.

Dr Cumming: Just to let the house know, I do have additional intentions, and I would hope that that committee’s scope would be broadened.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you, we have got it.