QLD: Cross examination of child witness needed say lawyers

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-1999
QLD: Cross examination of child witness needed say lawyers

BRISBANE, Aug 25 AAP - Lawyers must be able to fully cross-examine child witnesses when
necessary, despite government moves to make courts more child-friendly, the Queensland Law
Society said today.

Premier Peter Beattie said today almost three-quarters of a million dollars would be
available to ease the trauma of child witnesses.

"This will include video-conferencing to allow children to give evidence from rooms
attached to the court," Mr Beattie said.

Magistrates would undergo special training to make them more sensitive to the needs of
child witnesses, and Justices of the Peace in Aboriginal communities would also receive extra
training, he said.

"There will be more microphones in courts to prevent lawyers badgering children by
demanding they speak up, and new protocols will be developed with the Bar Association for the
sensitive treatment of children," Mr Beattie said.

Queensland Law Society spokesman Richard Carew said on occasions some witnesses lied, and
children were no different.

"Lawyers must be able to thoroughly cross-examine a child witness when necessary so the
truth is revealed," he said.

Mr Carew, from the Queensland Law Society's criminal law sub-committee, said lawyers would
have no objection to the use of in-court microphones because it was often difficult to hear
responses from children.

But training for magistrates needed to be balanced because the accused had rights as well
as victims and witnesses.

Mr Carew said video evidence had been used in Queensland for some time, allowing witnesses
with special needs, such as children or the mentally impaired, to give evidence outside the
court.

Queensland Children's Commissioner Robin Sullivan said the government move was a "positive
step forward".

Many of the initiatives had been included in a submission her office made to the Queensland
Law Reform Commission, Ms Sullivan said.

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KEYWORD: WITNESSES NIGHTLEAD

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