New Court Security Bill introduced into Federal Parliament

The Court Security Bill 2013 and its associated consequential amendments bill were introduced into Federal Parliament yesterday, 20 March 2013. The Bills create a new framework for court security arrangements for federal courts and tribunals.

The new framework will meet the security needs of the modern court environment by providing a range of powers for security officers, and limited powers for authorised court officers, to ensure that court premises are safe and secure environments for court users, court staff, judicial officers and other persons on federal court and tribunal premises. The Bills replace the current security framework for federal courts and tribunals under Part IIA of the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971.

Components of the Court Security Bill 2013 are as follows:

• Division 1 provides for the appointment of security officers and authorised court officers by administrative heads of courts and requires appointed officers to hold prescribed qualifications.

• Divisions 2, 3 and 4 outline the powers available to security officers and authorised court officers and prescribes certain offences related to non-compliance with the exercise of these powers.

• Division 5 authorises security officers to escort people to and from court premises as a protective measure.

• Division 6 provides various safeguards around the exercise of security powers.

• Division 7 provides for complaint procedures.

The Court Security (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013 contains amendments to the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971 arising from the development of the Court Security Bill 2013.

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