The Liberal Government took to the election a promise to ensure the public has confidence that the justice system is delivering justice for all parties, including victims of crime.
In recent months there have been several high profile court cases where suspended sentences have been applied that have caused many stakeholders and members of the public to join our push for an increased range of alternative sentences.
The Law Society and the Greens are the latest to support the introduction of an increased range of alternative sentences.
The Liberal Government has been very consistent in our position that additional sentencing options are required in Tasmania. It has been noted consistently, including by the judiciary in delivering sentences, that there are limited sentencing options available in Tasmania.
In July we commissioned the Sentencing Advisory Council to investigate alternative sentencing options that will be introduced with the phasing out of suspended sentences. Clearly, the introduction of additional sentencing options will give judges and magistrates an increased ability to ensure offenders receive an appropriate sentence.
The introduction of an increased range of alternative sentences is a very important part of our policy. However there are also serious flaws with suspended sentences.
Both the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council and the NSW Law Reform Commission have found inherent flaws with suspended sentences. Most importantly, the public feels let down by suspended sentences, which they feel are a slap on the wrist. This is particularly the case when a person on a suspended sentence reoffends and the suspended term is not activated, or another is applied.
The Liberal Government took to the election a commitment to phase out suspended sentences and introduce a wider range of alternative sentences, and we will be delivering on this commitment so Tasmanians can again have confidence in the justice system.
Vanessa Goodwin, Attorney-General
