Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

WAR CRIMES ACT 1945 - PREAMBLE

Preamble

WHEREAS:

                     (a)  concern has arisen that a significant number of persons who committed serious war crimes in Europe during World War II may since have entered Australia and became Australian citizens or residents;

                     (b)  it is appropriate that persons accused of such war crimes be brought to trial in the ordinary criminal courts in Australia; and

                     (c)  it is also essential in the interests of justice that persons so accused be given a fair trial with all the safeguards for accused persons in trials in those courts, having particular regard to matters such as the gravity of the allegations and the lapse of time since the alleged crimes: