A south-west lawyer has hit out at the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) for its attempt to backtrack on what was said at a parliamentary hearing.
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SLM Law director Rebecca Alexander said the LIV had been criticised after its representative Mel Walker suggested CCTV cameras should be installed on farms.
Adam Awty, LIV's chief executive officer, has written a letter to the hearing committee clarifying its position.
"Upon reviewing the hansard transcript, the LIV considers that our verbal commentary does not provide the clarity, nor reflect the context of our initial submission," Mr Awty said.
"In reviewing our verbal evidence, we believe it could be construed that the LIV position was applicable to all farms.
"This is not, nor ever has been, our position, nor Ms Walker's intent in answering the questions put to her at the hearing."
Ms Alexander said she was disappointed by how the LIV had handled the situation.
"It's embarrassing that the LIV has been caught red handed now the transcript has become available, yet it is continuing to try and clarify its position rather than apologise for the miscommunication in the first place," she said.
"The LIV letter states only that the verbal evidence could be construed to be applicable to all farms, which is misleading.
"I am confident anyone who was present at the hearing or who has read the transcript will agree."
Bev McArthur, a member of the panel said she was of the belief the LIV was calling for the installation of CCTV cameras on all farms. "It is my understanding the Law Institute of Victoria representative confirmed it was her position that CCTV cameras be installed on all farms across Victoria, which would equate to 22,000 farms," she told The standard.
At the hearing, Ms McArthur questioned how such a recommendation would be implemented.
"The practical application of ensuring CCTV cameras be located on every single farm and therefore all over a farm is beyond normal comprehension," she said.
"Who would pay for it?"
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