VOLUME 14 12 •• NUMBER NUMBER 12 •• AUTUMN WINTER 2015 VOLUME 2017
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 COMPANY INFORMATION 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 4
PERSONAL PROFILE: GRAEME MOORHOUSE
5 PERSONAL PROFILE: MIKE TIDBOLD 6 QUEENSLAND BAIL HEARINGS REFRESHER 7
MENTAL HEALTH ACT CHANGES
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LETTERS
QJA NOTICES
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OTHER NEWS
11 ROLL OF HONOUR 12 Q & A 14 REGIONAL ROUNDUP 16 REGIONAL CONTACTS INSERTS NEW QJA WEBSITE GUIDE
QJA - ESTABLISHED IN 1918 Official Magazine of the Queensland Justices Association
NEW DIRECTORS APPOINTED The last edition of the Journal reported a casual vacancy on the QJA board and called for expressions of interest to fill the vacancy. By the date of the January 2017 meeting of the QJA Board to consider this matter, seven (7) expressions of interest had been submitted and a further casual vacancy had been created. The Board was very pleased with both the quantity and the quality of candidates expressing interest in joining the association’s governing body. The succesful applicants (appointed to fill the two (2) vacancies until the board elections later in the year) are Graeme Moorhouse (Redland City Branch – left) and Mike Tidbold (Logan Branch - right). Their personal profiles are featured on pages 4 and 5. The Board warmly welcomes the two incoming directors and thanks departing directors (Lance Watson from Rockhampton Branch - left and Kate Kunzelmann from Ipswich Branch - right) for their respective contributions to the Board over the period of their directorships. In leaving the Board before the conclusion of their first term, both Lance and Kate indicated that, after many months of soul-searching and trying to make it work, they finally conceded they were unable to do justice to the exacting role as a QJA director whilst also commiting themselves to full-time employment in their exceedingly demanding day jobs. The Board appreciates and understands the reasons for their resignations and wishes them well.
BAIL HEARINGS In the wake of the recent tragic events in both Victoria and Queensland - resulting in death and injury to innocent victims of violence – the operation of the Bail system in each of those jurisdictions (and the role played by Justices of the Peace in the administration of the Australian Bail system) has become the subject of renewed scrutiny and public interest. In Victoria, volunteer Bail Justices (JPs) are empowered to conduct bail hearings and this is a standard procedure where a Magistrate is unavailable (e.g. after hours or in remote locations). The Queensland practice is substantially different. Although Queensland Justices of the Peace (Qualified) have the legal authority to participate in Bail hearings, the reality is that full-time Court officials undertake this work in almost every case. Even so, those officers with the title JP(Qual) should know and understand the workings of the Queensland Bail system and, in view of the current public focus and discussion on this topic, should be among the best informed members of the community. But how wellinformed are we? This edition includes a Refresher article explaining the Queensland Bail Hearings provisions and the responsibilities of JPs(Qual) for whom this is essential reading.
MENTAL HEALTH ACT CHANGES The Mental Health Act 2016 came into effect on Sunday 5th March 2017, bringing with it several changes that impact the duties of JPs and C.Decs, including: • the elimination of Justice Examination Orders (JEOs); • the introduction of a new category of Advance Health Directive (AHD); and • the introduction of a Nominated Support Person form. The article on page 7 explains these changes. Serving Queensland’s Honorary Justices since 1918