2012
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE
NORTHERN TERRITORY
ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (AGE OF RETIREMENT) BILL 2012
SERIAL NO. 15

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

GENERAL OUTLINE
The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Director of Public Prosecutions Act, the Law Officers Act, the Magistrates Act and the Supreme Court Act to raise the retirement age for the Master of the Supreme Court, the Solicitor-General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and Magistrates from 65 to 70 years. 
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Part 1 	Preliminary matters
Clause 1.	Short title
This is a formal clause which provides for the citation of the Bill.  The Bill when passed may be cited as the Justice Legislation Amendment (Age of Retirement) Act 2012.
Clause 2.	Commencement
This clause provides that the Act commences on the day fixed by the Administrator by Gazette notice. 
Part 2	Amendment of Director of Public Prosecutions Act 
Clause 3.	Act amended 
This clause provides that Part 2 amends the Director of Public Prosecutions Act. 
Clause 4.	Section 4 amended
This clause omits the reference to ‘65’ in section 4(1)(a), (6) and (9) of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act and inserts ‘70’ in its place.  This raises the age of retirement of the Director of Public Prosecutions from 65 years to 70 years, and the age a person is entitled to a pension and the maximum age that a person can be appointed to the office. 
Part 3	Amendment of Law Officers Act 
Clause 5.	Act amended 
This clause provides that Part 3 amends the Law Officers Act.
Clause 6.	Section 13 amended
This clause omits the reference to ‘65’ in section 13(1)(a), (5) and (9) of the Law Officers Act and inserts ‘70’ instead.  This raises the age of retirement of the Solicitor-General from 65 years to 70 years, and the age a person is entitled to a pension and the maximum age that a person can be appointed to the office.
Part 4	Amendment of Magistrates Act 
Clause 7.	Act amended 
This clause provides that Part 4 amends the Magistrates Act. 
Clause 8.	Section 7 amended
This clause omits the reference to ‘65’ in section 7(1) and (2) of the Magistrates Act and inserts ‘70’ in its place.  This raises the age of retirement of the magistrates from 65 years to 70 years, and the maximum age that a person can be appointed to the office.
Part 5	Amendment of Supreme Court Act 
Clause 9.	Act amended 
This clause provides that Part 5 amends the Supreme Court Act. 
Clause 10.	Section 41A amended
This clause omits the reference to ‘65’ in section 41A(a) of the Supreme Court Act and inserts ‘70’ in its place.  This raises the maximum age that a person can be appointed to the office of Master of the Supreme Court from 65 years to 70 years.
Clause 11.	Section 41D amended 
This clause omits the reference to ‘65’ in section 41D of the Supreme Court Act and inserts ‘70’ in its place.  This raises the age of retirement of the Master of the Supreme Court from 65 years to 70 years.
Clause 12.	Section 41H amended 
This clause omits the reference to ‘65’ in section 41H(1)(c) of the Supreme Court Act and inserts ‘70’ in its place.  This raises the maximum age that a person can be appointed to act in the office of Master of the Supreme Court from 65 years to 70 years.
Part 6	Expiry of Act 
Clause 13.	Expiry 
This clause provides that the Act expires on the day after it commences.