In July 2009, the Australian Government released exposure draft legislation on proposed reforms to Australia’s extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters laws.
In August 2009, the Centre made a Submission to the Attorney-General’s Department regarding the proposed reforms. The submission considers the compatibility of proposed amendments to the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth) and the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 (Cth), as set out in the draft Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation Amendment Bill 2009, with international human rights standards and Australia’s obligations in this regard.
After first outlining the utility and importance of assessing the Bill in a human rights framework, the submission identifies those provisions which will better harmonise the Extradition Act and Mutual Assistance Act with human rights standards. It also makes concrete recommendations for reform where there is an incompatibility or where the Bill affords inadequate consideration to, or protection of, human rights.
