PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 127, 30 May 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE.

PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH

BREACHES

THE PROPOSED PENALTY.

[tress association.] (Received May 29, 1rf.55 p.m.)

MELBOURNE, May 29. The Joint Select Committee of the Federal Senate and House on the procedure for the trial and lf punishment of persons charged with a breach of the powers, privileges and immunities of either Chamber has presented a progress report.

The Committee says that it does not propose to elevate breaches o£ privilege or contempt of Parliament to the high criminal grade of indictable crimes'or misdemeanors required to be tried by a jury. Such offences should be dealt with by a Judge, and if possible by a Justice of the High. Court, sitting in original and summary jurisdiction, and dealing with each case as Dromptly and inexpensively as possible.

The Committee recommends legislation to provide that persons printing, publishing or uttering any false, malicious or defamatory statement calculated to bring the Senate or House or Members or Committee into hatred, contempt or ridicule, attempting improperly to interfere with or unduly influence or obstructing or assaulting OJ t>ribin? OT attempting to bribe Members in the discharge of their duties, shall be deemed guilty of a brepen of privilege and conteirrot, and be liable to be prosecuted: that the only defence available* shall be justification or proof of. the truth of the statements; that- urxm the Judge's finding the complaints proved he may impose, a fine not exceeding £500 or imprisonment not exceeding twelve months, and may also order the accused to pay costs.