International War Crimes Tribunals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1995

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International War Crimes Tribunals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1995

No. 19 of 1995

 

An Act to make certain amendments relating to the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995

[Assented to 29 March 1995]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the International War Crimes Tribunals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1995.

Commencement

2.(1) Sections 1 and 2 commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), section 3 and the Schedule commence on a day to be fixed by Proclamation.


(3) If section 3 and the Schedule do not commence under subsection (2) within 6 months after the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period.

Consequential amendments

3. The Acts referred to in the Schedule are amended as set out in the Schedule.

___________


 SCHEDULE Section 3

AMENDMENTS OF ACTS

Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983

Paragraph 6(1)(k):

After "Extradition Act 1988" insert ", the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995".

Paragraph 9(6A)(b):

After "Extradition Act 1988" insert ", the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995".

Migration Act 1958

After subparagraph 54A(a)(i):

Insert:

"(ia) the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995; or".

After subparagraph 54C(b)(i):

Insert:

"(ia) the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995; or".

Proceeds of Crime Act 1987

Division 2A of Part II:

Omit the heading, substitute:

"Division 2ARegistered foreign and international forfeiture orders".

Section 23:

Repeal the section, substitute:

Registered foreign and international forfeiture orders

"23.(1) If:

(a) a foreign forfeiture order is registered in a court in Australia under the Mutual Assistance Act; or

(b) an order is registered in a court in Australia under section 46 of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995;

Division 2 applies in relation to the order as if subsections 19(5) and 20(3), (4), (5) and (6) and sections 21 and 22 were omitted.


SCHEDULE—continued

"(2) If:

(a) a foreign forfeiture order against property is registered in a court in Australia under the Mutual Assistance Act; or

(b) an order against property is registered in a court in Australia under section 46 of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995;

the property may, subject to section 23A, be disposed of, or otherwise dealt with, in accordance with any direction of the Attorney-General or of a person authorised by the Attorney-General in writing for the purposes of this subsection.".

After subsection 23A(1):

Insert:

"(1A) This section also applies if a court registers under section 46 of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995 an order against property.".

Subsection 23A(2):

After "registering the" insert "foreign or international forfeiture".

Paragraph 23A(2)(a):

Omit "serious", substitute "or international".

Subsection 23A(3):

(a) Omit "serious", substitute "or international".

(b) After "which the foreign" insert "or international".

Subsection 23A(4):

After "foreign" insert "or international".

Paragraph 23A(7)(a):

(a) Omit "serious", substitute "or international".

(b) After "which the foreign" insert "or international".

Subparagraph 23A(7)(b)(ii):

Omit "serious", substitute "or international".

Subsection 23A(8):

After "foreign" insert "or international".


SCHEDULE—continued

Section 23A:

Add at the end:

"(12) In this section:

'foreign or international forfeiture order' means:

(a) the foreign forfeiture order mentioned in subsection (1) in relation to which this section applies; or

(b) the order mentioned in subsection (1A) in relation to which this section applies;

as the case may be;

'foreign or international offence' means:

(a) a foreign serious offence; or

(b) a Tribunal offence within the meaning of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995;

as the case requires.".

Subparagraph 34C(1)(a)(ii):

After "forfeiture order" insert "an order registered under section 46 of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995".

Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979

Paragraph 5B(g):

Omit "or".

Section 5B:

Add at the end:

"; or (i) a proceeding under Division 1 of Part 4 of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995.".

 

NOTE ABOUT SECTION HEADING

1. On the commencement of section 3 of this Act, the heading to section 23A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1987 is altered by inserting "or international" after "foreign".

[Minister's second reading speech made in—

Senate on 10 February 1994

House of Representatives on 21 September 1994]

 

Overview

The International War Crimes Tribunals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1995 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for consequential amendments to various acts in response to the creation of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995. This Act ensures that the legal framework in Australia is consistent and appropriately aligned with the new provisions introduced by the primary Act, which was designed to facilitate the prosecution of war crimes and other serious international crimes. The amendments cover a range of legislative areas, including the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983, the Migration Act 1958, the Proceeds of Crime Act 1987, and the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979, to ensure that these acts integrate smoothly with the new tribunals. The policy objective underpinning this legislation is to provide a cohesive and effective legal structure that supports the operation of the International War Crimes Tribunals, ensuring that Australia can participate in and contribute to the global effort to prosecute and deter international war crimes.

Scope and Application

The International War Crimes Tribunals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1995 applies to the consequential amendments of certain specified Acts to incorporate provisions relating to international war crimes tribunals. The Act extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and applies to entities and persons affected by the amendments made to the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983, the Migration Act 1958, the Proceeds of Crime Act 1987, and the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979. The amendments include the addition of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995 to the list of Acts under which forfeiture orders can be registered and proceedings can be intercepted. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but the application of its provisions would depend on the specific circumstances of each case, such as whether a particular order or proceeding falls within the scope of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995. The Act may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or guidelines, issued under the authority of the amended Acts.

Key Provisions

The International War Crimes Tribunals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1995 (section 3) amends several existing Australian statutes to integrate provisions of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995. These amendments touch upon the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983, the Migration Act 1958, the Proceeds of Crime Act 1987, and the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979. Each of these amendments aims to align these Acts with the new framework established by the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995. The Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983 is amended to include references to the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995 in paragraphs 6(1)(k) and 9(6A)(b), broadening the scope of extradition considerations to include war crimes as defined under the new Act. Similarly, the Migration Act 1958 is updated to include references to the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995 in subparagraphs 54A(a)(i) and 54C(b)(i), ensuring that individuals implicated in war crimes are subject to relevant migration control measures. The Proceeds of Crime Act 1987 sees significant changes, with the insertion of new provisions and the retitling of Division 2A to include "Registered foreign and international forfeiture orders". These changes allow for the forfeiture of proceeds derived from international war crimes. The Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 is also amended to include proceedings under Division 1 of Part 4 of the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995 as a basis for telecommunications interception. The obligations imposed by these amendments require relevant authorities to take into account the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995 when considering extradition, migration, and forfeiture issues. The Director of Public Prosecutions must now consider war crimes under this Act when making extradition decisions. The Department of Home Affairs must apply the amended Migration Act provisions when assessing individuals for migration control. Courts must follow the new procedures outlined in the Proceeds of Crime Act for dealing with forfeited assets from international war crimes. Additionally, law enforcement agencies must ensure that telecommunications interceptions comply with the updated Telecommunications (Interception) Act. Failure to comply with the provisions of the amended Acts can lead to legal consequences. For instance, non-compliance with the new extradition considerations in the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983 may result in legal challenges or extradition disputes. Similarly, any failure to apply the new migration provisions correctly could lead to immigration enforcement issues. Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1987, incorrect handling of forfeiture orders could result in civil penalties or the reversal of forfeiture decisions. The Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 may impose penalties for unlawful interceptions, which could include fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. The exact penalties for each type of breach are detailed in the respective Acts, but they underscore the importance of compliance with these consequential amendments.

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