Issue 16

Dear Colleagues

It is with a sense of accomplishment that I announce we have reached the end of a long process to produce the new JP and Cdec handbooks.

Since delivery, we have been busily preparing and dispatching copies of the handbook to meet your orders, and it is gratifying to see how popular they are.

I want to thank you all for your patience while we worked through the process, as well as for the wonderful feedback many of you have provided.

The concept of having loose leaf pages will prove worthwhile in time when updates to the handbooks are required. The new handbooks will be a valuable tool for years to come in your important community role. Also, we will continue to provide timely updates through Technical Bulletins on any relevant change.

Recently, I received a copy of a JP Handbook from 1927 which outlined the powers and duties at the time for JPs in . It makes for interesting reading and highlighted how much things have changed. This handbook will be added to other memorabilia to be displayed at JP Branch. If you have anything that you think may also be historical to the role and would like to donate, please contact us to discuss.

Also, this edition of the JP Bulletin contains information about advance health directives for mental health and witnessing Title Registry forms for “off the plan” purchase.

With the release of both new handbooks and the continuing expansion of the volunteer JPs in the Community Program, this is truly an exciting time to be a JP or Cdec in Queensland.

Warm regards,

Damien Mealey Registrar and Manager Justices of the Peace Branch Department of Justice and Attorney-General

In this Issue

1. News ...... 3 Printed editions of the handbooks have arrived! ...... 3 Camera-detected offence notices ...... 3

2. Professional development ...... 4

3. JPs in the Community ...... 5 New signing sites ...... 6 JP under the magnifying glass ...... 6

4. Tips and techniques ...... 8 Advanced health directives for mental health ...... 8 Witnessing ‘off-the-plan’ property purchases ...... 9

5. Long service awards ...... 10

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1. News Printed editions of the handbooks have arrived! As mentioned by Damien in his message for this edition, the new Justices of the Peace (JP) and Commissioners for Declarations (Cdec) handbooks (as well as a new version of the logbook) are now available in both print and digital formats.

Many thanks to those volunteer JPs, Cdecs and key stakeholders (including TAFE Queensland, Queensland Court Services and other government agencies) who provided valuable feedback during production. You helped shape the final product.

You can read more about the handbooks and download a digital copy from our website.

To purchase the printed version, head over to the JP shop where you can buy the fully collated handbook (folder, content and section dividers), or just get the parts you want to make it your handbook, your way!

Camera-detected offence notices In May 2017, amendments to the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999, allow for the service of infringement notices to be made to an address where a person resides, a postal address or a business address.

A Technical Bulletin was issued via email on 7 September 2017. You can read more about this change to your witnessing requirements online at www.qld.gov.au/jptechnicalbulletin.

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2. Professional development

We are committed to offering you a wide variety of free workshops across Queensland.

There are a range of workshops coming up, for details on the what, where, when and to register, visit our professional development webpage www.qld.gov.au/jpprofessionaldevelopment

South October October  BDM – Identity documents  Family Law documents  Public Trustee  Enduring documents  Office of the Public Guardian  Land Titles  Family Law Documents  Queensland Police Service Warrants  Land Titles November Gladstone  General Witnessing October December  Family Law documents  Queensland Police Service Warrants  Enduring documents  Australian Border Force  Land Titles  Queensland Police Service - Warrants October  Essential Witnessing Skills Regional  Queensland Police Record of October Interview  Charters Towers – Queensland Police  General Witnessing Service – Warrants November November  Fraud and Cyber Crime  Ingham – General Witnessing  Traffic Camera Office  Ingham - Land Titles  Land Titles  Ayr – General Witnessing  Ayr - Land Titles  Tully – Land Titles December  Charters Towers – Land Titles

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3. JPs in the Community Our JPs in the Community program is going from strength to strength. At present there are 2150 volunteers across 236 sites.

Our inaugural site at Chermside Shopping Centre has become one of the largest, with room for 3 signers per shift.

In August, they witnessed more than 6173 documents and assisted 1985 clients. Well done to John Ingen-Housz (current co-ordinator) and the team of volunteers!

Our other sites across the state are equally busy and assist the Queensland community tirelessly.

George F Karsai, JP (Qual) volunteer Gold Coast The following sites are seeking volunteers to join the team:  Brisbane Square Library  Indooroopilly Shopping Centre  Mount Ommaney Shopping Centre  Mossman Courthouse  Riverlink Shopping Centre, Ipswich  Rockhampton Courthouse  Rockhampton Stockland  St Vincent’s Hospital, Kangaroo Point  Tully Courthouse.

If you’ve got a few spare hours in your week and would like join our ever growing volunteer community at these or any one of the JPs in the Community sites, please get in touch by email [email protected] or call 1300 301 147.

If you’re a little low on confidence, the JPs in the Community program also offers a mentoring program, providing an opportunity for you to work with experienced JPs and Cdecs to enhance your skills and knowledge. See how to get involved at www.qld.gov.au/jpmentor.

If you already volunteer at a signing site and need resources, are seeking volunteers or need clarification on issues you are facing at the sites don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call 1300 301 147.

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New signing sites It’s with great pleasure we announce 5 new additions to the JPs in the Community family.  Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), Brisbane city  St George Courthouse  Supreme and District Court, Brisbane city  The Exchange, Yarrabilba  Warner Marketplace

The operational hours for these and all our sites are available at www.qld.gov.au/jps.

JP under the magnifying glass

Karina Page – JP (Qual), Site Co-ordinator Australia Fair Shopping Centre

Karina Page has the secret to getting what she wants–persistence.

When the Australia Fair (Gold Coast) site opened in 2009, it consisted of just one table and a couple of chairs located in an open area. As business increased, Karina worked with the centre’s management to highlight the variety of documents witnessed and that privacy can be needed. She admits she was strategic in her approach.

“I wanted to show how valuable the service was to the centre, with the aim of getting a better location, preferably a shopfront.”

“I began collecting statistics informing centre management of the number of people attending our site, making sure they were aware JPs in the Community presence was bringing people to their shopping centre”.

“I was also offering information on the demographics of some of our clients to Australia Fair Shopping Centre”, Karina continued.

“This helped inform centre management of the numerous people who would not normally attend the centre that were coming for our services.”

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Karina’s hard work and persistence paid off, with the management at Australia Fair providing them with a permanent shopfront complete with kitchen, a private toilet and a private area for sensitive documents.

“It is really amazing how it all worked out, not only our team but the public love the new digs,” Karina said.

While Karina can be thanked in part for achieving this amazing result, she is quick to point out that she did not achieve this alone.

"It takes a village to raise a child,” said Karina.

“To have a successful signing site you need a great team of dedicated volunteers and an enthusiastic site owner, and Australia Fair has both.”

Karina is especially thankful for the dedication of her fellow volunteers.

“They're the people who grease the wheels of the Justice system,” Karina said. “They keep the paper work flowing.”

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4. Tips and techniques Advanced health directives for mental health Queensland Health has introduced a new advance health directive (AHD) for mental health guide and form which gives people a greater say in future healthcare they would like to receive for mental illness. Made under the Powers of Attorney Act 1998, an AHD for mental health allows for an adult person (the principal) to consent to future health care and/or appoint a person (referred to as the attorney) to make decisions for the principal’s treatment for a mental illness. The principal may also consent to healthcare for health conditions other than the principal’s mental health in the same document.

What are the specific features of the AHD for mental health? The AHD for mental health has been designed specifically to treat the principal’s mental illness. The principal may or may not consent to specific treatment techniques including physical restraint, electroconvulsive therapy or authority to remain as an inpatient for treatment of their mental illness. The document also includes a section where one or more eligible persons can be appointed as attorney for personal matters.

What this change means for you In general you witness an AHD for mental health in the same way you would an AHD or an enduring power of attorney (EPA). Follow the guide for witnessing advance health directives in your handbook and remember to satisfy yourself the principal has the necessary capacity under the requirements of the Powers of Attorney Act 1998.

Where can I obtain an AHD for mental health guide and form? You can view or download the AHD for mental health guide and form by visiting Queensland Health’s webpage – Mental Health Act 2016: www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/clinical-staff/mental-health/act

Important The AHD for mental health does not replace the current approved form 4, the standard Advance Health Directive.

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Witnessing ‘off-the-plan’ property purchases The Titles Registry Office have advised you can witness a transfer or mortgage form with the property description partially completed, i.e. a lot-on-plan is noted without a title reference number.

The Land Title Act 1994 (the Act) requires Titles Registry forms for a transfer or mortgage to include a description sufficient to identify the lot being transferred or mortgaged1. However, in the current property market environment, many properties in community title developments and subdivisions are being sold “off-the-plan” before the survey plan for the new development has been lodged and registered in the Titles Registry.

This means a title reference number has not been officially created when parties complete and present titles registry forms for witnessing.

You may witness the transaction if it is part of an ‘off-the-plan’ purchase, provided the additional witnessing procedure is followed.

Additional witnessing procedure for ‘off-the-plan’ purchases A JP or Cdec must still take reasonable steps under s.162 of the Act when witnessing an ‘off- the-plan’ purchase. In addition to proof of entitlement to sign and verification of identification, the signatory may supply the witness a letter from their solicitor confirming they are entitled to sign the form. Ideally the letter should:

 Show the lot on plan description of the relevant lot as shown on the Titles Registry form (not just a street address); and  that the transaction is part of an “off-the-plan” purchase where the survey plan is not yet registered The letter must be on official letterhead and signed by their solicitor and not a paralegal or secretary.

NOTE: If Item 2 of a transfer or mortgage form is completely blank then you should decline to witness the form.

1 s.61(d) and s.73(b) of the Land Title Act 1994

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5. Long service awards 70 year long service awards We currently offer service awards to acknowledge 25, 40, 50 and 60 years of service, and are very pleased to announce a 70 year service award has been added to the range.

We would like to acknowledge the outstanding dedication and service of the first two recipients of this new award - Wensley Goebel and Joan Rogers.

We also acknowledge the following JPs and Cdecs who have received a service award since the last JP Bulletin was issued. We thank you for your service to the Queensland community.

60 year service awards

Micheli (Mick) Borzi AM OBE and Leonard Lee

50 year service awards

Raymond Anderson Llyod Kyle-Little Roland Bailey Warren Milevskiy John Black Bevan Morris Alan Ferris Clifford Tracy Patrick Galligan Daryl Turner George Kearney

40 year service awards

Douglas Adams Ian Jackson Donald Agnew Lawrence Jarrott Bernard Barry Raymond Jeffress Graeme Barwick Muriel Johnson Robert Belz Graham Kirkwood Paul Bienek James McConnell Peter Brodie Malcolm Mollenhauer

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40 year service awards continued

Helen Bruce Peter Nissen Darrell Butcher Phillip Pearce Guy Catchlove Narelle Rebetzke Rhys Davies Thomas Shields Yvonne Downes Raymond Skilbeck Gail Dymock William Smith Clement Fechner Anthony Smith Susan Gardiner Neil Robert Taylor Hewan Gibson Kenneth Telford Noel Griffin Richard Trad Noel Hardwick Graeme Trusler Brian Healy Desmond Turnbull Spencer Hill Victor Ure Ian Hoskins Garry WIlson Alfred Hudson David Wood Thomas Ivins John Woods Raymond Ivins

25 year service awards

Peter Adermann Jeffrey Booker Patricia Anderson Judith Booth Graeme Bainbridge Rodney Boxall Adriana Bardini-Hage Roger Bylett Judy Cameron Anthony Kennedy Robert Carey Richard Kerr Douglas Chapple Kate Kunzelmann Jonathan Chay Melissa Laurent Annette Christie John Law Raymond Clark Kelly Lee Sandra Collins Philip Livingston Rosemary Cotterill Dianne Lucey Gary Craven Terence Lynam

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25 year service awards continued

Perry Dayas Sandy Martindale Wendy Driver Albert Maynard Lance Edbrooke Ronald McConochie Lynda Edmonds Donna Morris Kent Elliott Peter Muchow Peter Forster Noela O'Neil Edoardo Gallo Frank Parker Jean Garrick Ralph Patrick John Gibbon Lester Pemberton Anthony Gleeson Daphne Pirie Phillip Gregory Kenneth Priest Sandra Guinea Ian Pye Susan Haggett Alessandra Raj Stephan Hams Lance Rebetzke Gregory Hanlon Raymond Robinson Catherine Hanrahan Ronald Schibrowski John Harris Sharon Schofield Elena Hawkins Shelley Schulz Sian Houghton Barry Sharp Deborah Howie Neil Shorrock Judith Hugill Robyn Shorrock Julie Jeffries Carol Smith Desley Jones Sharlene Somerset David Syme Ross Wilson Rodney Terry Anthony Winstone Geoff Walker Rosita Wood Christopher Williams

To apply for a long service award use our online tool at www.qld.gov.au/jplongservice or contact your local member of parliament www.parliament.qld.gov.au to nominate you for an award.

It is helpful if you have your original date of appointment (or a rough idea) to assist with verification of your appointment date.

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