Spotlight on standard non-parole periods
Source: New South Wales. Attorney General. Media Release.
"Two high level bodies are examining how to make sure sex offenders feel the full force of the law when they come before judges, Attorney General John Hatzistergos said today. Mr Hatzistergos said both the Sentencing Council and a working party being chaired by a Supreme Court judge were examining various aspects of standard non-parole periods. “Even though tough standard non-parole periods are set down in legislation, we are working to ensure that courts are consistent in the sentences they hand down,” said Mr Hatzistergos. “The Governments believes that serious offenders should feel the full force of the law.” The Sentencing Council will work on the issue of ensuring that standard non-parole periods are properly applied to offences, following a recommendation which had been made in its landmark report on sex crime last year. In addition, a high level Sexual Offences Working Party, chaired by Supreme Court judge Elizabeth Fullerton has been convened and will identify whether any additional sex offences should have a standard non-parole period applied. Mr Hatzistergos said the working party would build on new laws aimed at safeguarding adults and children from sexual predators, following the Sentencing Council report."