128AReading aloud of victim statement

128A Reading aloud of victim statement

(1) A person who provides a written communication under section 128 may request that any part of that communication is read aloud, in the course of the early diversion group conference, by—

(a) the convenor; or

(b) a person chosen by the person making the request and who is approved by the convenor for that purpose.

(2) If a request is made under subsection (1), the convenor must determine if the reading aloud of each requested part of the communication is appropriate, having regard to—

(a) the objects of the early diversion group conference; and

(b) the circumstances of the particular case.

The convenor may determine that it is not appropriate to read any part of a communication that is offensive, would breach another person's privacy or could jeopardise the safety of any person.

(3) If the convenor determines that the reading aloud of any part of the communication is appropriate, the convenor must ensure that, in the course of the early diversion group conference, that part of the communication is read aloud by the person who was requested to do so.

(4) The convenor may direct a person who is reading aloud any part of the communication as to—

(a) which parts of the communication are determined appropriate to be read aloud; and

(b) the time available, which must be reasonable, for reading aloud those parts of the communication.