FED: Vale says backbenchers unhappy with mandatory sentence laws

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2000
FED: Vale says backbenchers unhappy with mandatory sentence laws

CANBERRA, Feb 14 AAP - Liberal backbencher Danna Vale today called for the federal
government to intervene in the row over mandatory sentencing of offenders in Western Australia
and the Northern Territory.

Ms Vale, a former juvenile justice lawyer, said the laws were unjust and tarnished
Australia's reputation as a nation which gave people a fair go.

She said she would consider backing a private members bill from Greens Senator Bob
Brown but would prefer to see the matter discussed by the government first.

"Mandatory sentencing is not a fair go," Danna Vale told ABC radio.

"The outcomes can simply be unjust and unreasonable and it's just not fair.

"I personally believe it (the federal government) should (intervene) and I have held
that view for some time."

The mandatory sentencing laws require courts to impose jail terms for property offences.

In the NT, juveniles aged 15 and 16 must be sentenced to 28 days' jail for a second
property offence or attend diversionary programs, although few are available. Adult offenders
face jail for the first offence.

In WA, mandatory sentences of one year apply for a third home burglary offence for
both adults and children.

Anger over the laws was sparked last week by the suicide of a 15-year-old who hanged
himself in the NT while in detention on a mandatory sentence of 28 days for stealing stationary
and paint.

Ms Vale said there was substantial backbench support for federal action to overturn
the mandatory sentencing laws.

"On an individual basis there are other Liberal members who have a real problem in
principle with mandatory sentencing," she said.

"It is the principle of mandatory sentencing that I have real concerns with because
it does not allow a judge to exercise any discretion whatsoever. My goodness, why do we
have judges if we don't want them to exercise a discretion?"

Earlier today, Prime Minister John Howard said on a Sydney radio program that cabinet
would probably discuss the NT laws today.

The federal government can use its powers to override territory laws.

AAP mb/mfh/arb/bwl

KEYWORD: MANDATORY VALE

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