The Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent Wheatley has revealed that substantial progress is being made with the drafting of the Sexual Offenses Bill, with plans to have the legislation laid in the House of Assembly by September 2024.
Wheatley was at the time responding to a question posed in the House of Assembly by Deputy Speaker Honourable Stacey Mather.
Mather’s question was centered around the minister providing an update on whether progress was being made by the government regarding sexual offences legislation in the territory and a sexual offences registry.
While noting that the legislation is at the stage to soon commence public consultations on the proposals, Minister Wheatley also informed the public of seven supporting bills that have been drafted from the Sexual Offenses Bill.
Wheatley, who presides over the Ninth Electoral District provided details on the scope of the legislation and how it stands to make an impact on sexual offence crimes once implemented.
Deputy Speaker Mather said he was pleased to be informed on the progress being made towards the legislation and thanked the government for taking the matter seriously.