Civil Liberties Australia, HERE
Frontline workers need tailored support such as adequate numbers, special tools and protective gear but they deserve better than the hollow promise of being protected by mandatory prison sentences for those who assault them.
Mandatory minimum prison sentences are expensive[1], ineffective in deterring crime[2] and lead to unjust outcomes in individual cases[3].
Frontline workers deserve better than to have these laws enacted in their name.
Civil Liberties Australia is thankful to frontline workers for placing themselves in harm’s way so others in society can lead safer lives. Police, ambulance officers, child protection workers, prison officers, doctors, social service people all have our full support.
But the mandatory sentencing proposal is without support and shouldn’t become law.
Those who are critical of the laws include the the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute (who report mandatory sentences are ineffective in deterring crime) the Tasmanian Sentencing Advisory Council (who have recommended against mandatory sentences), the Tasmanian Law Society (who state mandatory sentencing “just doesn’t work”) and the Health and Community Services Union (who represent the frontline workers covered by the proposed laws).
We call on the government to re-think its plans in this important public safety area.
Download a copy of CLA’s submission on the Sentencing Amendment (Assaults on Frontline Workers) Bill 2016 …
CLA_sub_on_front_line_workers.pdf
Richard Griggs, Tasmanian Director of Civil Liberties Australia
