New law to strengthen system

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Davis Steven says the new National Pandemic law has given the Government an opportunity to strengthen the integrity of the legal system.
Steven told Parliament last Friday that for the first time a state of emergency has been declared on the back of a health pandemic.
“This opportunity has given us the chance to go back and talk policy, talk law, strengthening the integrity in our system,” he said.
“We must fund the office of solicitor-general, the state solicitor, first legislative counsel and the parliamentary committees – that’s where we build the nation,” he said.
“In the wisdom of Parliament, it’s in the interest and welfare of our people.”
Steven said the legislation was only for a period.
He said today, the state of emergency would lapse.
“We have the opportunity to declare between now and when the next parliament sits, the law that applies and we oversee it through the mechanisms that are in place.
“Why must we be confused when the law is clear?”
Steven said Parliament in accordance with the constitution directed the permanent parliamentary committee for an oversight.