The Greens’ Shane Rattenbury is letting the world know he’s not a fan of the push for tougher sentencing from our judiciary, particularly with culpable driving:
In an open letter sent to the Attorney General, Shadow Attorney General, DPP, Police Association, Civil Liberties Australia and legal profession, Mr Rattenbury urged the Government to undertake a survey of what ACT jurors think of sentencing before sentencing law reform is contemplated.
“The Greens are concerned about the bidding war that is brewing. We are calling for calm,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Both the Government and the Liberals have announced plans to increase sentences for culpable driving offences. The Liberals’ proposal would more than double the sentence available, increasing prison sentences from 7 to 15 years.”
“Law and order campaigns never end sensibly because the old parties try to outbid each other to show they are tougher on crime. This means laws are passed on emotion not evidence.
“The Greens are urging the Government to gather statistical evidence on what juries think of sentences being handed down, before going any further with their proposal.
UPDATE: A copy of Shane’s letter is now available.