ALHR Concerned by Victorian mandatory sentencing measures
ALHR has written to the Victorian Attorney-General to express its concern at the Justice Legislation Miscellaneous Amendment Bill 2018 which will elevate injury offences against on-duty emergency workers, custodial officers and youth justice custodial workers (exposed workers) to Category 1 offences that are subject to a mandatory minimum custodial sentence or other custodial order, and to narrow the ‘special reasons’ exceptions. We are concerned that these complex legislative measures are being introduced without sufficient or effective consultation with the community.
ALHR is strongly opposed to mandatory minimum prison terms on the basis that such sentencing regimes impose unacceptable restrictions on judicial discretion and independence, and undermine fundamental human rights and rule of law principles.