Disclosure Powers for Victim Rights Agencies to Share Health Information for Victims Registers
Victims Legislation Amendment (Victims Registers) Bill 2025
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Anoulack Chanthivong MP (ALP); The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Susan Carter LIB
“The Opposition supports the Victims Legislation Amendment (Victims Registers) Bill 2025. It is a sad but necessary bill. It is sad because it reminds us that crime is often a continuing event; the assault may be momentary, but its effects linger, physically and psychologically.”
Mark Latham IND
“It was not, unfortunately, reflected in the briefing note to the crossbench, but the Victims Legislation Amendment (Victims Registers) Bill 2025 is primarily and overwhelmingly a product of the brave advocacy of Samantha and Laurie Barlow. I thank the Hon. Mark Buttigieg for mentioning that in his second reading speech.”
Sue Higginson GRN
“On behalf of The Greens, I contribute to debate in support of the Victims Legislation Amendment (Victims Registers) Bill 2025, which is ultimately a very straightforward and commonsense amending bill. The bill reforms the processes of victims registers and will result in increased access to registers for eligible victims. I echo the comments my colleagues have already made about the bill.”
Aileen MacDonald LIB
“I support the Victims Legislation Amendment (Victims Registers) Bill 2025. It is a thoughtful and important step forward in strengthening how we support victims in our justice system. As shadow Minister for Youth Justice, I am often focused on ensuring that young people get the support they need to turn their lives around.”
Stephen Lawrence ALP
“I speak in support of the Victims Legislation Amendment (Victims Registers) Bill 2025. One of the realities of our common law system of criminal justice is that victims are not a party to proceedings and therefore do not have any freestanding or longstanding right to be heard in proceedings.”
Mark Buttigieg ALP
“Susan Carter, Ms Sue Higginson, the Hon. Mark Latham, the Hon. Aileen MacDonald and the Hon. Stephen Lawrence. I welcome the support for the bill across this House. The bill marks another critical step in the New South Wales Government’s commitment to improving our justice system and supporting victims of crime, as we work to create a safer New South Wales.”
News articles and press releases
Victims Legislation Amendment (Victims Registers) Bill 2025
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG, Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading — 2025-05-06
This followed advocacy by Samantha Barlow, a former New South Wales police officer, who only became aware of the existence of the Corrective Services victims register just prior to the perpetrator of the horrific offence committed against her being considered for parole. This bill will legislate a new requirement for agencies who administer the victims registers to proactively notify victims of certain serious offenders of their right to be on the register and access the benefits it has to offer. It will ensure that in the future victims who would like to be kept informed will be.