[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: Law and Order Auction bizarrely sees mandatory sentencing "passed in"

[David Shoebridge MLC]

*Law and Order Auction bizarrely sees mandatory sentencing "passed in"*



The O'Farrell Government today indicated it would not support passage of
its own mandatory sentencing laws following amendments adopted in the NSW
Upper House.


The amendments proposed by Labor obtained the support of the Greens and the
Shooters MPs and go some way to lessening the harsh impact of the
Government's mandatory sentencing regime. They effectively put in place a
"mandatory minimum lite" version of the Government's bill.


The Greens were the only party to vote against the bill as amended, because
we oppose on principle any form of mandatory sentencing.


Greens MP and Justice Spokesperson, David Shoebridge, said:


"It seems that where the law and order auction is concerned, both the old
parties are unable to engage in evidence based or principled policy making.


"Both parties were so intent on pushing their preferred model of mandatory
minimum sentencing that they have ended up at an impasse - with no
immediate changes to the law likely to occur as a result.


"The Greens have always opposed the arbitrary and unfair imposition of
mandatory sentencing in NSW, whether it is the government's aggressive form
or Labor's "mandatory minimum lite" version.


"Mandatory sentencing has been almost universally condemned by legal and
community groups as being ineffective in reducing crime while
 discriminating against vulnerable and marginalised people in our
communities.


 "We now have an opportunity to consider the best evidence available so we
can develop policies that will actually reduce the damage from alcohol in
our community.


"Reducing the over-consumption of alcohol through the reduction of density
of liquor outlets and the enforcement of RSA conditions can help to reduce
alcohol fuelled violence.


"These are examples of simple, but proven, steps that might hurt the
alcohol lobby but we know would help protect the community." Mr Shoebridge
said.


Media contact: 0408 113 952

-- 

* David ShoebridgeGreens MP in the NSW Legislative Council P: (02) 9230
3030 |Media: 0408 113 952|T: @ShoebridgeMLC
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