Shadow Attorney General Ella Haddad today slammed the Liberals and the Greens for opposing Labor’s motion to send the government’s mandatory sentencing Bill to a committee so that it can be strengthened.
Labor has repeatedly called on the government to adopt a tougher approach to child sex offenders including:
- Maximum life sentences for people convicted of sexual offences against a child
- Presumptive non-parole periods for child sex-offenders
- Guideline judgements
- Two new offences within the Criminal Code to better protect young people – Aggravated Sexual Intercourse with a Young Person and Maintaining a Sexual Relationship with a Young Person in Circumstances of Aggression
“By indicating they will vote against Labor’s motion to send the Bill to committee, the Liberals and the Greens have joined forces to ensure child sex offenders will not go to jail for life,” Ms Haddad said.
“The Liberals are desperate to play politics in the lead up to this weekend’s Legislative Council elections while, in contrast, Labor is committed to putting children’s safety first.
“Labor’s policy is the sensible result of consultation with survivors of sexual assault and the legal fraternity.
“Legal experts have confirmed that offenders in Tasmania are already receiving sentences that are, on average, more severe than the two and four year minimums proposed in the Hodgman Government’s Bill. This problem demands a smarter approach.
“We call on the Liberals to get out of the gutter, get serious about a truly tougher approach and work with Labor to ensure vulnerable children are protected.”
