[Greens-Media] Media Release: Loveridge decision shows one-punch laws unnecessary

[David Shoebridge]

Media Release: Loveridge decision shows one-punch laws unnecessary



4 July 2014



The Court of Criminal Appeal's decision today in the Loveridge case, almost doubling the original sentence he received for his unprovoked Kings Cross assault, shows the Government's rushed mandatory sentencing laws were unnecessary and misguided.



Greens MP and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:



"The sentence handed down today shows that the Government's "one punch" mandatory sentencing regime is entirely unnecessary.



"This decision is evidence that the legal system, if given time, works to produce just outcomes.



"The knee jerk response by parliament to put in mandatory sentencing while the Loveridge appeal was outstanding was both counter-productive and unnecessary.



"The criminal justice system functions most effectively when the daily grind of petty politics does not triumph over considered policy.



"This should be a powerful reminder for the government as it undertakes a half-baked review of the new bail laws.



"One of the most distasteful aspects of the current law and order debate has been the unprincipled tub-thumping of the opposition leader John Robertson.



"Robertson has been dancing to the tune of radio shock jocks and the tabloid media to demand tougher bail laws and tougher sentencing, without ever waiting to see the final outcomes the cases he criticises.



"No one should accept this unprincipled politicking from the NSW Labor leader who has driven the debate to the right on both mandatory sentencing and bail," Mr Shoebridge said.



Media contact: 0408 113 952 / 9230 3030









Kym Chapple

Policy, Media and Legislation Advisor

Office of Greens MP David Shoebridge

P: (02) 9230 3030|M: 0433 680 244|T: @kymtje<http://twitter.com/#!/kymtje>

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