QLD: Govt to ease trauma for child witnesses in court

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-1999
QLD: Govt to ease trauma for child witnesses in court

BRISBANE, Aug 25 AAP - Queensland is to ease the trauma for child witnesses in court cases,
Premier Peter Beattie said today.

Almost three-quarters of a million dollars would be allocated in next month's state budget
for improvements, he said.

"This will include video-conferencing to allow children to give evidence from rooms
attached to the court," Mr Beattie said.

Magistrates will undergo special training to make them more sensitive to the needs of
child witnesses, and Justices of the Peace in Aboriginal communities will also receive extra
training.

"There will be more microphones in courts to prevent lawyers badgering children by
demanding they speak up, and new protocols will be developed with the Bar Association for the
sensitive treatment of children," Mr Beattie told ABC radio.

He said the current system needed to be improved and he expected magistrates and lawyers to
react positively.

Queensland Children's Commissioner Robin Sullivan said the government move was a "positive
step forward".

Many of the initiatives had been included in a submission her office made to the Queensland
Law Reform Commission, Ms Sullivan said.

AAP geb/it/br

KEYWORD: WITNESSES

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