VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS NO. 49, WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 1996

(1)  That a joint select committee be appointed to inquire and report upon:

(a) alternative methods of providing for the needs of victims of crime, in particular that of providing counselling and other services to victims. In examining these alternatives, the Committee should have regard to:

(i) the total cost both initially and over time of any alternative examined by the committee in comparison with the cost of continuing the Victims Compensation Fund, either in its present form or any amended form;

(ii) the competing demands of other sectors of the community for public funds and the desire to have greater certainty and control over the cost of the fund;

(iii)  the extent of services already available to victims of crime, being either specific services or general services which may be accessed by victims of crime;

(iv) any duplication in or the need to enhance these services; and

(v) the possibility and means of funding any alternative other than through public funds; and

(b) the long term financial viability of the Victims Compensation Fund, having regard to:

(i) any projected or actual increase in the take up rate by eligible victims;

(ii) any projected or actual increase in number and size of awards;

(iii) any projected or actual increase in the size of awards through the appeal process;

(iv) the effect upon costs of different threshold claim levels;

(v) the effect upon costs of monetary compensation being limited to victims of crime with serious or permanent injuries;

(vi) the availability of sources of funding other than the Consolidated Fund and the costs that may be incurred in collecting these funds; and

(vii) any changes to the administration of the Victims Compensation Fund or the process of assessing awards which may restrain escalation costs.

(2)  That the committee consist of 5 members of the Legislative Assembly and 4 members of the Legislative Council.

(3)  That the Legislative Assembly members comprise:

(a) 3 Government members nominated in writing to the Clerk of the House by the Leader of the House; and

(b) 2 Opposition members nominated in writing to the Clerk of the House by the Leader of the Opposition.

(4)  That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the standing orders of either House:

(a) the committee is to elect as chairman a Government member of the Legislative Assembly;

(b) the chairman of the committee have a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, a casting vote; and

(c) at any meeting of the committee four members will constitute a quorum, provided that the committee meet as a joint committee at all times.

(5) That the committee have leave to sit during any adjournment of either or both Houses; to adjourn from place to place; to make visits of inspection within the State of New South Wales and Australia; and have power to take evidence and to send for persons, records and things; and to report from time to time.

(6)  That the committee report by 30 May 1997.

(7)  That should either or both Houses stand adjourned and the committee agree to any report before the Houses resume sitting:

(a) the committee have leave to send any such report, minutes and evidence taken before it to the clerks of the respective Houses;

(b)  the documents be printed and published and the clerks forthwith take such action as is necessary to give effect to the order of the Houses; and

(c)  the documents be laid on the table of the Houses at their next sittings.

(8) The Legislative Assembly requests the Legislative Council to appoint 4 of its members to serve on the Committee and to nominate the time and place for the first meeting of the committee.