Liberals pledge to refer Eugene McGee case to new law reform commission

The Eugene McGee case will be promptly reviewed by a new law reform commission if the Liberal Party wins power on Saturday. “We are committed to refer this case to a law reform commission to be established under a Liberal government,” shadow attorney-general Vickie Chapman said. “Legislation is the important responsibility of Government and Parliament and if there was a way of improving the processes here, we will do so.

“Unlike Mr Rann and Mr Atkinson, we will not blame the judiciary, lawyers and the police for the potential shortcomings in the legal system – we will fix those shortcomings. “Judge Herriman applied the current law and I accept there will be public concern that it appears no one has paid the price when a man has lost his life.”

Attorney-General Michael Atkinson said the Rann Government had “done everything its power to support the interests of the victims in this matter”.

He said the Government’s decision to investigate the handling of the McGee case led to the Kapunda Rd Royal Commission in 2005. “Following the recommendations of the Royal Commission, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, supported by the Government, felt it was necessary for the matter to return to the courts,” Mr Atkinson said.

He said the commission led to law changes in 2006 which increased penalties for a number of driving offences – including the charge of leaving the scene of an accident, which now carries a maximum 15-year jail term. Premier Mike Rann refused to comment on whether justice had been served, saying that was “a decision of the court”. “My thoughts today are with, of course, the man who died,” he said.

“I think that we’re totally vindicated in terms of the Royal Commission that allowed the proper course of justice to proceed. “That Royal Commission also led to major changes of the law, including about leaving the scene of an accident. “The Royal Commission was critically important in terms of changing the balance of the laws in terms of the rights of the victim.”

A spokeswoman from the Director of Public Prosecution’s office today said the director had 21 days to consider lodging an appeal. “No further comment will be made until the Director has had the opportunity to consider both the report and the judgment of Judge Herriman,” she said.