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Bill
- Part 1—Preliminary
- Part 2—Military Court of Australia
- Part 3—Management of the Military Court
- Part 4—Jurisdiction of the Military Court: general
- Part 5—Original jurisdiction of the Military Court
- Part 6—Appellate jurisdiction of the Military Court
- Part 7—Appeals to the High Court
- Part 8—Custody and bail
- Part 9—Sentences and orders
- Part 10—Persons found unfit to be tried and persons acquitted because of mental impairment
- Part 11—Practice and procedure
- Part 12—Miscellaneous
2010-2011-2012
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Presented and read a first time
Military Court of Australia Bill 2012
No. , 2012
(Attorney-General)
A Bill for an Act to establish the Military Court of Australia, and for related purposes
Contents
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1
3............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 3
4............ Crown to be bound............................................................................. 6
5............ Operation of Act................................................................................. 7
6............ Application of Commonwealth laws to proceedings determined outside Australia 7
7............ Geographical jurisdiction for offences................................................ 7
Part 2—Military Court of Australia 8
Division 1—Introduction 8
8............ Guide to this Part................................................................................ 8
Division 2—Creation of the Military Court etc. 9
9............ Creation of Military Court etc............................................................. 9
10.......... Divisions of the Military Court........................................................... 9
Division 3—Judges and Federal Magistrates 10
Subdivision A—Appointment and terms and conditions: general 10
11.......... Appointment..................................................................................... 10
12.......... Judges and Federal Magistrates may hold office of another court..... 11
13.......... Assignment to Divisions................................................................... 11
14.......... Assignment to particular locations.................................................... 11
15.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 12
16.......... Removal from office......................................................................... 12
17.......... Style.................................................................................................. 12
18.......... Seniority............................................................................................ 12
19.......... Acting Chief Justice.......................................................................... 12
20.......... Remuneration etc............................................................................... 13
21.......... Oath or affirmation of allegiance and office...................................... 14
Subdivision B—Other terms and conditions of Federal Magistrates 15
22.......... Other terms and conditions of Federal Magistrates........................... 15
23.......... Outside work.................................................................................... 15
24.......... Leave................................................................................................. 15
25.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 15
26.......... Disability and death benefits............................................................. 16
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 17
27.......... Certain references in other laws to Judge of a superior court etc. not to include Federal Magistrate 17
Part 3—Management of the Military Court 18
Division 1—Introduction 18
28.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 18
Division 2—Management responsibilities of Chief Justice etc. 19
29.......... Management of the administrative affairs of the Military Court........ 19
30.......... Arrangements with other courts........................................................ 19
31.......... Arrangements with agencies and organisations................................. 20
32.......... Arrangements with the Chief of the Defence Force.......................... 21
33.......... Arrangements for sharing courtrooms and other facilities................. 23
34.......... Delegation of administrative powers of Chief Justice....................... 23
Division 3—Registries 24
35.......... Establishment of registries................................................................ 24
Division 4—Registrar 25
36.......... Functions and powers....................................................................... 25
37.......... Delegation of powers to Registrars................................................... 25
Division 5—Other officers and staff of the Military Court etc. 28
38.......... Officers of the Military Court........................................................... 28
39.......... Functions of officers other than the Registrar................................... 28
40.......... Deputy Registrars............................................................................. 29
41.......... Functions of the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriffs................................... 29
42.......... Actions by or against the Sheriff or a Deputy Sheriff....................... 30
43.......... Staff of the Military Court etc........................................................... 30
44.......... Engagement of consultants etc.......................................................... 31
Division 6—Miscellaneous administrative matters 32
45.......... Seal of the Military Court.................................................................. 32
46.......... Writs................................................................................................. 32
47.......... Annual report.................................................................................... 33
48.......... Proceedings arising out of administration of Military Court............. 33
49.......... Oath or affirmation of office............................................................. 33
Part 4—Jurisdiction of the Military Court: general 35
Division 1—Introduction 35
50.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 35
Division 2—Arrangement of business of the Military Court etc. 36
51.......... Place of sitting................................................................................... 36
52.......... Manner in which Military Court may be constituted......................... 37
53.......... Arrangement of the business of the Military Court........................... 38
54.......... Exercise of powers of Military Court in Divisions........................... 39
55.......... Military Court divided in opinion...................................................... 40
56.......... Exercise of jurisdiction in open court and in Chambers.................... 40
Division 3—Other matters 42
57.......... Making of orders and issuing of writs.............................................. 42
58.......... Costs not to be awarded.................................................................... 42
59.......... Powers of Military Court extend within and outside Australia......... 42
60.......... Prerogative of mercy unaffected........................................................ 42
61.......... Contempt of court............................................................................. 42
Part 5—Original jurisdiction of the Military Court 43
Division 1—Introduction 43
62.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 43
Division 2—Original jurisdiction 44
63.......... Original jurisdiction of the Military Court......................................... 44
64.......... Charges of service offences not to be dealt with on indictment......... 44
65.......... Exercise of original jurisdiction......................................................... 44
66.......... Referral of proceedings from one Division to the other Division...... 46
Division 3—Instituting proceedings etc. 48
67.......... Instituting proceedings in the Military Court..................................... 48
68.......... Condonation of service offence not to prevent institution of proceeding 48
69.......... Charge sheet may include charge of alternative offence.................... 48
70.......... Single charge sheet can cover multiple accused persons................... 48
71.......... Separating one or more accused persons from a single charge.......... 48
72.......... Single charge sheet can include multiple charges.............................. 49
73.......... Separating one or more charges from a single charge sheet.............. 49
74.......... Amending charges............................................................................ 50
Division 4—Pre-trial matters 52
75.......... Pre-trial hearings............................................................................... 52
76.......... Pre-trial and ongoing disclosure........................................................ 53
77.......... Disclosure of case for the prosecution.............................................. 53
78.......... Copies of things need not be provided if impracticable etc................ 55
79.......... Personal details need not be provided............................................... 55
80.......... Things need not be disclosed to a party more than once.................... 56
81.......... Consequences of disclosure requirements......................................... 57
82.......... Restricting further disclosure of disclosed material........................... 57
83.......... Restricting admissibility of disclosed material as evidence in other proceedings 58
84.......... Objecting to charges.......................................................................... 59
Division 5—Matters relating to pleas, the trial and verdicts 61
85.......... Practice and procedure applicable to the trial..................................... 61
86.......... Entering pleas.................................................................................... 61
87.......... Pleading to some charges in satisfaction of other charges................. 61
88.......... Pleading to different service offences capable of being supported by charge included in charge sheet 62
89.......... Changing pleas.................................................................................. 62
90.......... Military Court’s verdict if no case to answer.................................... 63
91.......... Consequences of guilty pleas and guilty verdicts.............................. 63
92.......... Consequences of not guilty verdicts.................................................. 65
Part 6—Appellate jurisdiction of the Military Court 66
Division 1—Introduction 66
93.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 66
Division 2—Bringing appeals 67
94.......... Allowable appeals............................................................................. 67
95.......... Leave to appeal.................................................................................. 67
96.......... Who may appeal................................................................................ 67
97.......... Time for appealing............................................................................ 68
98.......... Exercise of appellate jurisdiction....................................................... 69
99.......... Stay of proceedings and suspension of orders.................................. 70
100........ Right to attend................................................................................... 70
101........ Practice and procedure applicable to appeal....................................... 71
102........ Evidence on appeal............................................................................ 71
103........ Prison sentence does not include time on bail................................... 72
Division 3—Powers of Military Court on appeal 73
104........ Military Court may give such judgement as is appropriate................ 73
105........ When to allow appeals...................................................................... 73
106........ Allowing appeals against convictions............................................... 74
107........ Allowing appeals against sentences.................................................. 74
108........ Allowing appeals against bail, bail forfeiture or interlocutory judgements and decisions (including about custody).......................................................................................................... 74
109........ Costs................................................................................................. 75
110........ New trials.......................................................................................... 76
Division 4—Other matters 77
111........ Cases stated and questions reserved.................................................. 77
112........ Questions referred after trial.............................................................. 77
Part 7—Appeals to the High Court 78
113........ Appeals to the High Court................................................................ 78
Part 8—Custody and bail 80
Division 1—Introduction 80
114........ Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 80
Division 2—Custodial matters 81
115........ Arrangements for accused person if proceeding adjourned............... 81
Division 3—Granting bail 82
116........ Applying for bail............................................................................... 82
117........ Granting bail..................................................................................... 82
118........ Bail may be granted subject to conditions......................................... 82
119........ Bail to be stayed pending appeal....................................................... 83
120........ Bail undertakings etc......................................................................... 84
121........ Effect of granting bail........................................................................ 85
122........ Seeking discharge from undertaking to give security........................ 85
123........ Dealings with property given as security for bail.............................. 85
Division 4—Reconsidering bail orders 87
124........ Reconsidering bail—discharge of security or accused person fails to comply with bail undertaking 87
125........ Reconsidering bail—change in circumstances................................... 87
126........ Consequences if bail is varied or revoked......................................... 88
Division 5—Further consequences if accused person fails to appear in accordance with bail undertaking 89
127........ Offence for failing to appear before the Military Court..................... 89
128........ Notice of proposed forfeiture............................................................ 89
129........ Ordering forfeiture............................................................................ 90
130........ When forfeiture orders take effect..................................................... 91
131........ Effect of forfeiture orders.................................................................. 91
Division 6—When bail ends 94
132........ Continuing bail orders....................................................................... 94
133........ Bail discharged if the Military Court discharges the accused............ 94
134........ Continuing security undertakings when bail ends............................. 94
135........ Returning security when bail ends.................................................... 95
Division 7—Other matters 96
136........ Admissibility of certain matters......................................................... 96
137........ Indemnifying a person providing security......................................... 97
Part 9—Sentences and orders 98
Division 1—Introduction 98
138........ Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 98
Division 2—Sentencing principles 99
139........ Sentencing principles........................................................................ 99
Division 3—Punishments 100
140........ Kinds of punishments that may be imposed.................................... 100
141........ Restrictions on power to impose punishments................................ 101
142........ Imposition of fines.......................................................................... 103
143........ Concurrent or cumulative punishments........................................... 103
144........ Taking other offences into consideration......................................... 105
145........ Commencement of sentences and non-parole periods..................... 106
Division 4—Suspension of punishments 108
146........ Suspension of detention.................................................................. 108
147........ Suspension of fines......................................................................... 108
148........ Revocation of suspension of punishment........................................ 108
Division 5—Remission of punishments 110
149........ Remission of suspended punishment.............................................. 110
150........ Remission of punishment of detention on imprisonment................ 110
Division 6—Restitution orders and reparation orders 112
151........ Restitution orders............................................................................ 112
152........ Reparation orders............................................................................ 113
Part 10—Persons found unfit to be tried and persons acquitted because of mental impairment 115
153........ Persons found unfit to be tried........................................................ 115
154........ Persons acquitted because of mental impairment at time of conduct constituting service offence 116
Part 11—Practice and procedure 118
Division 1—Introduction 118
155........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 118
Division 2—General 119
156........ Practice and procedure to be in accordance with Military Court Rules 119
157........ Record of proceedings.................................................................... 119
158........ Access to record of proceedings..................................................... 120
Division 3—Conduct of proceedings 122
159........ Accused person to be present at hearing......................................... 122
160........ Change of venue............................................................................. 122
161........ Formal defects not to invalidate....................................................... 122
Division 4—Evidence 123
162........ Application of Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1991 of the Australian Capital Territory 123
163........ Evidence to be given orally............................................................. 123
164........ Orders and commissions for examination of witnesses.................. 123
165........ Oaths and affirmations.................................................................... 124
166........ Swearing of affidavits etc................................................................ 124
167........ Protecting witnesses etc.................................................................. 125
168........ Prohibition or restriction on publication of evidence etc.................. 126
169........ Offences by witness........................................................................ 126
Division 5—Use of video links or audio links 128
170........ Testimony by video link or audio link............................................. 128
171........ Appearances or submissions of persons by video link or audio link 128
172........ Conditions for use of video links and audio links........................... 129
173........ Putting documents to a person by video link or audio link.............. 131
174........ Administration of oaths and affirmations........................................ 132
175........ New Zealand matters....................................................................... 132
Division 6—Orders and judgements 133
176........ Orders............................................................................................. 133
177........ Reserved judgements...................................................................... 133
178........ Recovery of amounts due under order of Military Court................ 133
Division 7—Military Court Rules 135
179........ Military Court Rules....................................................................... 135
180........ Requirements relating to the making of Military Court Rules......... 136
Part 12—Miscellaneous 137
181........ Certain provisions of the Crimes Act 1914 do not apply or apply with modifications 137
182........ Regulations..................................................................................... 137
Schedule 1—Service offences to be dealt with by the Appellate and Superior Division 138
A Bill for an Act to establish the Military Court of Australia, and for related purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
Schedule 1 — Service offences to be dealt with by the Appellate and Superior Division
Note: See subsection 65(5).
|
I tem |
Provision of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 |
Subject matter |
|
1 |
Subsection 15(1) |
Abandoning or surrendering a post etc. |
|
2 |
Subsection 15A(1) |
Causing the capture or destruction of a service ship etc. |
|
3 |
Subsection 15B(1) |
Aiding the enemy while captured |
|
4 |
Subsection 15C(1) |
Providing the enemy with material assistance |
|
5 |
Subsection 15D(1) |
Harbouring enemies |
|
6 |
Subsection 15E(1) |
Offences relating to signals and messages |
|
7 |
Subsection 15F(1) |
Failing to carry out orders |
|
8 |
Subsection 15G(1) |
Imperilling the success of operations |
|
9 |
Subsection 16(1) |
Communicating with the enemy |
|
10 |
Subsection 16A(1) |
Failing to report information received from the enemy |
|
11 |
Subsection 16B(1) |
Offence committed with intent to assist the enemy |
|
12 |
Subsection 20(1) |
Mutiny |
|
13 |
Subsection 20(2) |
Mutiny in connection with service against enemy |
|
14 |
Subsection 21(2) |
Failing to suppress mutiny in connection with service against enemy |
|
15 |
Subsection 22(1) |
Desertion |
|
16 |
Subsection 22(2) |
Desertion |
|
17 |
Subsection 36(1) |
Dangerous conduct |
|
18 |
Subsection 59(1) |
Selling etc. prohibited drugs outside Australia |
|
19 |
Subsection 61(1) if: (a) the Territory offence concerned is an offence referred to in subparagraph 63(1)(a)(i), (ia), (ii) or (iii) or paragraph 63(1)(b) of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 ; or (b) the fixed or maximum punishment for the Territory offence concerned is imprisonment for 10 years or more |
Engaging in conduct in the Jervis Bay Territory that is a Territory offence |
|
20 |
Subsection 61(2) if: (a) the Territory offence concerned is an offence referred to in subparagraph 63(1)(a)(i), (ia), (ii) or (iii) or paragraph 63(1)(b) of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 ; or (b) the fixed or maximum punishment for the Territory offence concerned is imprisonment for 10 years or more |
Engaging in conduct in a public place outside the Jervis Bay Territory that is a Territory offence |
|
21 |
Subsection 61(3) if: (a) the Territory offence concerned is an offence referred to in subparagraph 63(1)(a)(i), (ia), (ii) or (iii) or paragraph 63(1)(b) of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 ; or (b) the fixed or maximum punishment for the Territory offence concerned is imprisonment for 10 years or more |
Engaging in conduct outside the Jervis Bay Territory that is a Territory offence |
|
22 |
Subsection 62(1) if: (a) the relevant service offence referred to in subsection 62(1) is based on a Territory offence referred to in subparagraph 63(1)(a)(i), (ia), (ii) or (iii) or paragraph 63(1)(b) of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 ; or (b) the fixed or maximum punishment for the relevant service offence referred to in subsection 62(1) is imprisonment for 10 years or more |
Commanding or ordering service offence to be committed |