The proof is in the pudding: Statutes Amendment (Vulnerable Witnesses) Bill 2015
As promised in the SA Disability Justice Plan, the Attorney-General has passed another sweep of legislative amendments to create better access to the criminal justice system for people with disabilities. In 2014, the Attorney-General amended the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA), creating an offence of sexual exploitation of people with cognitive impairment (see section 51 of the Act). Following on from that, the Attorney-General has turned to the participation of people with disabilities as victims, suspects, witnesses and defendants. This overview will focus on the amendments relating to people with disabilities; however amendments have also been made for young children.
The Statute Amendment (Vulnerable Witnesses) Act 2015 (SA) targets the participation of people with disabilities in the criminal justice system by tailoring the Acts that regulate the pre-trial and trial processes and procedures, such as the Evidence Act 1929 (SA) and Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) to account for cognitive impairment, complex communication needs and physical disability.