Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee (part 1 of 2)

2 July 2026

Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee Australian Parliament

12:54 - 14:54
Speaker 23
Oh, now I'm good.  Yep.  I declare open this public hearing of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into Australia's Youth Justice and incarceration system.  The committee's proceedings today will follow the program as circulated.  These are public proceedings being broadcast live via audio. 

Before we begin, I remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect.  I remind witnesses that in giving evidence to the committee, they are protected by parliamentary privilege.  It is unlawful for anyone to threaten or disadvantage a witness on account of evidence given to a committee, and such action may be treated by the senate as a contempt.  It is also a contempt to give false or misleading evidence to the committee.  The committee prefers evidence to be given in public, but under the senate's resolutions, witnesses have the right to request to be heard in confidence, described as being in camera. 

If you're a witness today and intend to request to give evidence in camera, please bring this to the attention of the secretary as soon as possible.  If a witness objects to answering a question, the witness should state the ground upon which the objection is taken, and the committee will determine whether it will insist on an answer, having regard to the ground which is claimed.  If the committee determines to insist on an answer, a witness may request that the answer be given in camera.  Such a request may, of course, be made at any other time.  A witness speaking for the first time should state their full name and the capacity in which they appear, and witnesses should speak clearly and into the microphones to assist Hansard to record proceedings. 

Mobile phones and electronic devices should be switched off or turned to silent mode.  I now welcome representatives from the Law Council of Australia, the International Commission of Juris, and doctor Lisa Ewinson.  Thank you all for taking the time to come and speak with the committee today.  I understand that information on parliamentary privilege and the protection of witnesses and evidence has been provided to you and is available from the secretariat.  For the hand side record, be... 

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