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Appendix: Development of the Sentencing and Parole Legislation – Timeline of Events

Co-ordination and Collaboration in the Criminal Justice Sector.

Date	Event
16 February 2000	Minister of Justice agrees to begin work on a Sentencing Reform Bill.
4 April 2000	The Ministry sends out a timetable to the Department for Courts and the Department of Corrections, stating that 11 Cabinet Papers would be prepared for Ministers’ consideration.
21 June 2000	The Ministry sends out a draft Cabinet Paper to officials from various agencies for comment, that seeks agreement in principle to the scope of the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill (SPRB).
July 2000	Cabinet paper setting proposed scope of the Bill.
13 July to 7 September 2000	A series of eleven policy papers are sent out to the various agencies for consultation.
19 July 2000	The Cabinet Social Policy and Health Committee agree that an informal Committee of Ministers can make interim decisions about the scope of the Bill.
6 September 2000	First meeting of the informal Committee of Ministers.
18 September 2000	Second meeting of the informal Committee of Ministers.
9 October 2000	Third meeting of the informal Committee of Ministers.
21 November 2000	The Ministry sends out a draft Cabinet Paper for consultation that sets out the proposed SPRB policy, with comments due by 27 November 2000. The proposed date for passing the legislation is 1 March 2002.
28 November 2000	The draft Cabinet Paper is provided to the informal Committee of Ministers.
30 November 2000	Fourth meeting of the informal Committee of Ministers.
7 December 2000	The Cabinet Paper presented to Cabinet Policy Committee seeks agreement to the policy contents of the Bill.
26 February 2001	After the paper passes through a series of Cabinet Committees, Cabinet confirms the decision of the Cabinet Policy Committee to issue drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.
14 March 2001	Drafting instructions provided to the Parliamentary Counsel Office.
May 2001	Department of Corrections raises concerns about whether CMS will be ready in time.
2 July 2001	A draft memo for the Cabinet Legislative Committee that seeks approval to introduce the SPRB is circulated for consultation purposes.
1 August 2001	The Minister of Justice recommends to the Cabinet Legislative Committee that the introduction of the SPRB be approved.
6 August 2001	Cabinet approves the introduction of the SPRB.
7 August 2001	Minister of Justice introduces the SPRB into the House.
23 August 2001	Officials recommend that Ministers agree to a new commencement date for the SPRB of 1 July 2002.
August 2001	Time by which decisions on design and build of IT systems had to be made.
September 2001	The Justice and Electoral Committee commences hearings.
November 2001	Department for Courts management aware of problems with CMS.
February 2002	The Justice and Electoral Committee reports back to the House.
5 March 2002	Department for Courts advises sector agencies that CMS will not be ready by the agreed deadline.
29 March 2002	Second Reading of the Bill.
1 May 2002	Third Reading.
5 May 2002	Royal Assent given.
30 June 2002	The Sentencing Act 2002 and the Parole Act 2002 come into force.