QLD:Queensland sentencing council set up

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2010
QLD:Queensland sentencing council set up

BRISBANE, Dec 3 AAP - The Queensland government has announced a panel of victim advocates
and legal minds who'll now be asked to direct judges on minimum sentences for serious
crimes like murder and rape.

Attorney-General Cameron Dick said the council had been set up to give the community
a stronger voice under the government's plan to strengthen the state's sentencing regime.

The group's first job will be to provide recommendations about standard minimum sentences
for a range of serious crimes, Mr Dick said.

The government announced in October it would introduce legislation to direct judges
to impose a standard minimum non-parole period when sentencing, unless there are exceptional
circumstances.

Crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape and sexual assaults against children would
come under the laws, which would require the head sentence to be up to a third more than
the non-parole period.

The non-parole period gives a date when an offender can apply for parole, although
they are not certain to be accepted.

The ultimate decision on the standard non-parole periods will be made by cabinet.

"We have assembled a very capable group with expertise in and experience with criminal
law, indigenous and juvenile justice, domestic violence, law enforcement and victims of
crime to provide advice to the government on important sentencing issues," Mr Dick said
in a statement.

He said the panel of 12 was chosen after expressions of interest were sought from the community.

Opposition attorney-general spokesman Jarrod Bleijie welcomed the council's establishment,
but said it had taken to long.

Among the panel is police commissioner Bob Atkinson, director of public prosecutions
Tony Moynihan, indigenous justice advocate Bob Colless, the Queensland Homicide Victims
Support Group's Jonty Bush and Beryl Crosby, who is the president of the Bundaberg Hospital
Patient Support Group.

The council's first meeting will be held before the year's end.

AAP jmm/jl/was

KEYWORD: SENTENCES

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