Media release – Elise Archer, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, 10 December 2020
Labor blocks minimum jail term for child sex offenders again
Sexual offences against children are heinous, and the community rightfully expects that anyone who commits serious sexual offences against children should go to jail.
It is extremely disappointing that Labor has once again opposed our mandatory minimum sentences legislation in the Upper House.
Labor’s Leader Rebecca White needs to explain to the Tasmanian community and victims’ advocate groups why they oppose a guarantee on jail sentences for convicted child sex offenders.
Labor’s attempt to reduce criticism with maximum sentences – available under the Criminal Code – is farcical and simply shows they do not understand sentencing laws, and do not take this issue seriously.
Victim survivors have every right to be grossly offended by Labor’s opposition to our Bill that ensures imprisonment of child sex offenders.
We will continue to put this legislation before the Parliament because the Tasmanian community overwhelmingly supports mandatory minimum sentences for these types of serious offences.
Media release – Ella Haddad MP, Shadow Attorney General, 10 December 2020
Liberals must pursue maximum life sentences for child sex offenders
The Liberal Government should stop playing politics and introduce legislation that will actually work to keep children safe.
Shadow Attorney General Ella Haddad said the Legislative Council had rightfully rejected the Liberal Government’s politically motivated legislation.
“Tasmanian Labor abhors crimes of child sex abuse. Labor has repeatedly called for the introduction of life sentences for child sex offences to send the strongest possible message that these crimes will not be tolerated.
“If you needed any more evidence that the Liberals are motivated only by politics you only need to consider that they put out a press release attacking Labor before a final vote had been taken.
“The evidence shows that mandatory sentencing does not work. It doesn’t deter offending or protect victim survivors.
“The Liberal government is trying to paint their legislation as a crime prevention strategy and a change that will protect the survivors of horrendous crimes. But a series of reports has demonstrated that the opposite is true.
“Mandatory minimum sentencing does not work to reduce crime. What it does reduce is the likelihood of offenders pleading guilty, which means survivors of crime are forced through a trial where they are subjected to reliving the crimes perpetrated against them.
“Many groups have lined up to tell government their approach is flawed – The Law Society, the Sexual Assault Support Service and Tasmania’s Sentencing Advisory Council.
“It’s reprehensible for Elise Archer to play politics with this issue, and ignorant in the extreme to ignore the evidence.”
