Nick McKim: Government should abandon plan to abolish suspended sentences

Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin is playing with fire by pressing on with her ill-conceived plan to abolish suspended sentences in the face of a backlash from the Anglican church, legal experts and unions.

“The Liberal majority government is ignoring common sense, compassion, and real world evidence. Ultimately their policy will drive up crime rates in Tasmania,” said Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim MP.

“We will see overcrowded prisons, fewer programs for rehabilitation, and ultimately a less safe community. This is what happens when politics takes precedence over sound policy development.”

“After a sustained reduction in the prison population over the last few years, we can now expect to see a blowout in inmate numbers. This will increase prison budget pressures and bring new operational challenges.”

“Perhaps Dr Goodwin should place an advance order for shipping containers so she can get the best price.”

“Dr. Goodwin should just look at the evidence, admit that she got this one wrong, and move on to developing policies that will actually make Tasmania safer,” Mr McKim said.
Nick McKim MP | Greens Justice spokesperson