“[If] cabinet decides to legislate,I anticipate that legislation will be enacted this year ... but I cannot preempt what I say to cabinet,here.”
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Mr Speakman said he had not spoken to his federal counterpart or anyone in the Morrison government about an alleged rape in 1988 that has been linked to a present cabinet minister.
The Law Reform Commission last year recommended NSW follow Tasmania in stating a person does not consent to sex if they do not “say or do anything to communicate consent”,to stop a “freeze response” being regarded as consent.
Mr Speakman said he understood most victims and women’s groups supported the proposals,while the public defenders and the Bar Association say it goes too far.
Anotherhigh-profile opponent of the commission’s review is Saxon Mullins,whose experience as a complainant in the trial of Luke Lazarus triggered the review. Mr Lazarus was found not guilty in 2017.