§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the report of the New South Wales Attorney General's Department into the homosexual panic defence; and if he will make a statement. [39216]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Attorney General's Department of New South Wales issued a discussion paper in August 1996 entitled a "Review of the 'Homosexual Advance Defence". The paper reviews recent cases in New South Wales and discusses the use of the defence where it is pleaded as part of a defence of self defence or provocation. It did not recommend any legislative changes in New South Wales, but suggested some changes in the model directions for judges, and greater education within the criminal justice system and the wider community. I understand a final report will be published in due course, and I await that with interest.