19 May 2017

No reform for Rau | Adelaide Advertiser

By Sheradyn Holderhead

ATTORNEY-GENERAL John Rau has walked away from his controversial plan to force accused criminals to reveal key details of their case before trial. The Opposition and crossbenchers joined forces to block it in the Upper House, forcing Mr Rau to cut it out of his justice reform package.

It follows a concerted campaign by the Law Society, the Bar Association and top counsel against changes within the Government’s indictable offences reform package, which they said would undermine justice.

Opposition MLC Andrew McLachlan said the changes ensured South Australians had the right to a fair trial.

Mr Rau yesterday said, while disappointed the Bill had been amended, he believed it was “an improvement on the present arrangements”.