The Liberal Government is committed to protecting those who protect us.
We promised to crack down on offenders who attack police and we are delivering on our promises.
We will move this week to introduce mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers.
This new provision in the Sentencing Act 1997 will see a minimum six-month sentence handed down to those convicted of causing serious bodily harm to on-duty officers.
It is an important first step toward similar sentences for other types of emergency workers in Tasmania.
The Liberal Government makes no apologies for supporting our police officers, which is in stark contrast to Labor and the Greens.
On their watch, 108 police officers were cut from the frontline, despite a 2010 election commitment to employ more police.
We will not let our police officers down. We have listened to their concerns and we have acted decisively.
The amendments will help restore community respect for our police service that was eroded under Labor and the Greens, and have the strong support of the Police Association of Tasmania.
The Liberal Government is delivering on its promises and this amendment will serve as an effective deterrent to those who would assault police.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management
