Liberal Leader Zed Seselja is promising to introduce legislation to punish the morons punching on with the cops in Civic of a night.
We must do everything we can to deter violent assaults and other offences against police in the course of their duties, Mr Seselja said.
This legislation will send a very clear message: offences against police will result in strong penalties.
It amends the Crimes ACT 1900 to provide tougher penalties for offences against police, meaning a number of offences including assault, manslaughter and threats to kill would be considered an aggravated offence and have higher prosecution penalties.
The legislation applies if an offence is committed against a police officer while on the job or in relation to any actions taken in their official capacity.
Shadow Police and Corrections Minister Jeremy Hanson said the legislation would bring the ACT in line with other states which already have strong laws around offences against police.
On the one hand once again we have the Liberals again reflexively banging the Laura Norder gong.
On the other hand the sort of dick so far gone in violence and stupidity as to start something to police is a mighty menace to the rest of society.
Here’s a breakdown of the changes they’re putting forward.
Proposed penalties under new legislation: Crimes (Offences Against Police) Amendment Bill 2011
Offence |
Current penalty |
Proposed penalty if committed against police |
Manslaughter |
20 years jail |
26 years jail |
Intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm |
15 years jail |
20 years jail |
Recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm |
10 years jail |
13 years jail |
Wounding |
5 years jail |
7 years jail |
Assault with intent to commit other offence |
5 years jail |
7 years jail |
Inflicting actual bodily harm |
5 years jail |
7 years jail |
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm |
5 years jail |
7 years jail |
Causing grievous bodily harm |
2 years jail |
3 years jail |
Common assault |
2 years jail |
3 years jail |
Threat to kill |
10 years jail |
13 years jail |
Threat to inflict grievous bodily harm |
5 years jail |
7 years jail |
Possession of object with intent to kill |
5 years jail |
7 years jail |
Forcible confinement |
10 years jail |
13 years jail |
Affray |
10 years jail |
13 years jail |
Stalking |
5 years for certain offences and 2 years for any other case |
7 years and 3 years jail respectively |