Elise Archer,Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
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.
