SCAG decision on uniform legislation re crimes at sea welcomed

3/11/94

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes today welcomed the Standing Committee of Attorneys General's (SCAG) decision to enact uniform State legislation to govern crimes at sea.

As a result, Mrs Edwardes indicated that Western Australian legislation would apply the State's criminal law in the offshore waters adjacent to the State.

"Beyond the 12-mile limit, Commonwealth legislation would apply Western Australian criminal laws out to 200 nautical miles," Mrs Edwardes said.

"This represents a tangible example of co-operative Commonwealth-State relations and demonstrated the benefits of Australian federation to achieve a practical response to the application of Western Australia's criminal laws."

At the meeting Mrs Edwardes also raised the issue of international treaties and the external affairs power and called for a greater level of local community involvement in discussions and consultations about treaties Australia is negotiating and intending to sign.

"The WA Parliament currently has a Standing Committee which considered proposals for uniform Commonwealth and State legislation," she said.

"The success of that committee demonstrated that State Parliaments and the people in the States would make a valuable contribution to the debate about treaties."

The Attorney General welcomed the Commonwealth Attorneys General's acceptance of her proposals including his undertaking to consider matters relating to the tabling of treaties and draft treaties in State Parliaments.

Mrs Edwardes said that acceptance of her submission by the Standing Committee was a positive step towards the very real problems posed by the Commonwealth Government's continual use of the external affairs power and international treaties to override State laws and powers.

Media contact:  Diana Russell Coote 421 7777