Greens Leader Kim Booth MP today called for the Liberal government to abandon their controversial push to abolish suspended sentences, in light of the Attorney-General’s admission that the judiciary was not consulted on the plan.
“The Greens unequivocally do not support the removal of judicial discretion for setting the penalty for any offence, and we do not support abolishing suspended sentences,” Mr Booth said.
“The extraordinary confession by Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin that the Liberal’s half-baked policy was not consulted with key stakeholders including the judiciary, just goes to demonstrate why this proposal must be scrapped.” A-G’s Admission Means Libs must Scrap
“Yesterday’s public forum heard independent evidence that suspended sentences are an effective deterrent, with research showing that offenders on a wholly suspended sentence were 20 per cent less likely to reoffend than those who were imprisoned.”
“Where is the Liberals’ research or advice on the impact of abolishing suspended sentences?”
“Ramming through harsh laws such as these, which are not evidence based, has all the hallmarks of an arrogant and out of touch majority government.”
“The Liberals need to recognise that a meagre one per cent majority does not give them the right to ride roughshod over proper, informed and consultative decision making processes.”
“Academics, legal experts and members of the judiciary have all called for the Liberals to scrap this dangerous and counter-productive move on suspended sentences, and the Attorney-General needs to heed those calls,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
