InBrief

Law reform and public affairs

The use of an ancient power to pardon offenders for their crimes will be made more transparent, Attorney General Mark Speakman announced today.

The Royal prerogative of mercy has been exercised by monarchs for almost a millennium, mostly in secret.

“Such secrecy might have been appropriate under Edward the Confessor in the eleventh century, but in modern-day NSW it’s time to lift the veil of mystery. If passed, new legislation, to be introduced by the end of this year, will make NSW the first jurisdiction in Australia to regularly share these details with the community,” Mr Speakman said.

“The Royal prerogative of mercy is exercised in favour of offenders only in extraordinary cases. But it’s important that the Government maintains a process that properly balances the principles of open justice with any need to protect the privacy of individuals.”

Click here to see the full release.